23
Example of True Righteousness
Richard WaialealeLuke 6:27-29 (NIV)
27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
This has to be one of the hardest examples of true righteousness in the Bible I find difficult to follow.
In chapter 6, Jesus mentions seven characteristics of unconditional love.
(1) Love your enemies.
(2) Do good to those who hate you.
(3) Bless those who curse you.
(4) Pray for those who mistreat you.
(5) Do not retaliate (v. 29a).
(6) Give freely (vv. 29b-30).
(7) Treat others the way you want to be treated (v. 31).
I want to be like Jesus, but seriously, if someone mistreats or strike me on the face. It’s my natural tendency to retaliate. I must change for the sake of Christ.
I am never more in the image of our heavenly Father then when I love as He loves. My heart is to be like Jesus as much as I possibly can. Even if I struggle with these, I must keep repeating these instructions in my head until it sinks into my heart. So when the test comes, I can look like Jesus, walk like Jesus and set the example like Jesus. My desire is to be salt on the earth and a light to the world. So here we go!
Father, this will take supernatural strength and mind control for me to conform into the love of Jesus. I pray Lord that my love for You is stronger and more then my reactions to this world.
I pray for those that mistreat others and I pray that day by day, I will learn more and more to love those around me. Amen.