Faith Filled Thoughts
October 27th, 2008
By Connie Ciccone
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Faith Filled thoughts released Monday –Friday excluding Holidays


Love Is How? and Why?

Scripture: Luke 6:31 (NIV) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

We've heard this Golden Rule since we were children but we may not realize that these words are right in the middle of a sermon that Jesus preached nearly two thousand years ago. Yet, the value of these words still remains. In this great exhortation, Jesus spoke of loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us. He told us to bless those that curse us and pray for those who use us. If we are struck on the cheek, we are to turn and offer our other cheek to our abuser. Jesus' teaching also declared that if someone decided to take away our coat or material goods, we should allow them to take even more. We are to lend and expect nothing in return. Show mercy in all situations and not be judgmental.
In this teaching, Jesus takes us through several areas of abuse: emotional abuse because our enemies hate us; verbal abuse by those who curse us; physical abuse by those who actually strike us; and abuse by those who would take advantage of us materially. How can we do good to these types of people and why should we obey this command? The answer is found in verse thirty-five, which tells us to love our enemies and our reward will be great. Love is the "How" and God's reward is the "Why."
As God enables us with His supernatural love, we are able to bless, forgive, and pray for those who abuse and do evil against us. We may not like the circumstances or appreciate the actions against us, but we can love because Jesus lives within us. He is the vine and we are the branches. As His life flows through us, we are able to manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit. His life is full of mercy, love, and forgiveness and His grace extends to all situations. II Corinthians 13:4 & 7 tells us that His "love is patient and kind ... and is able to bear and endure all things." Our Father showed us by example how to love the unlovely. He obeyed His own Golden Rule and sacrificed His Son, by being "kind to the unthankful and to the evil" (Luke 6:35). When we are able to emulate our heavenly Father, Jesus said that we would receive a great reward and be called children of the Highest. Doing good to others is a very small price to pay for such a great reward.
May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie