Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you... Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate." Luke 6:27-28, 36, CEV
These are verses that have seemed to be a recurring theme in my life over the last two years. They have kept me firmly grounded as I deal with a difficult neighbor. They have been words to encourage a daughter dealing with a bully at school.
This week, however, in talking with my third grader, I realized why these ideas are so important. Why do I need to love my neighbor and be kind to those who treat me like dirt? Is it to make me look holier? To put them to shame? Is it simply to reflect Christ's own life? Is it just what I'm supposed to do?
Perhaps it goes way beyond all of that. When we allow ourselves to hate an enemy, disdain them, demean them, we dehumanize them. Even when our actions are obedient to these passages, if our hearts don't follow, we have closed ourselves off from these people. This is where Luke 6:36 enters into the equation: "Be compassionate, even as your Father is compassionate."
My third grader was teased terribly on the bus in kindergarten by a little girl who is now in her class this year. Apparently, this other child wants to be my daughter's friend now. My daughter has been resisting - after all, she was mean! But what if this other child has changed, grown up a bit? If my little one harbors that resentment, she does not allow for grace. I have suggested that she take another look, and give this little girl a second chance.
Without compassion, we do not allow people around us to change. We hold on to our picture of who someone is and, like a still shot, it never alters. But life is not a still shot. I am not who I was ten years ago. My life has moved me around, causing me to shift and change and grow.
Love your enemies. Pray for them. Bless them. Do good for them. Have compassion for them. Give them the space they need as they shift and grow. Look for God's image in them. Take it beyond the actions of obedience to an attitude of grace.
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you... Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate." Luke 6:27-28, 36, CEV
These are verses that have seemed to be a recurring theme in my life over the last two years. They have kept me firmly grounded as I deal with a difficult neighbor. They have been words to encourage a daughter dealing with a bully at school.
This week, however, in talking with my third grader, I realized why these ideas are so important. Why do I need to love my neighbor and be kind to those who treat me like dirt? Is it to make me look holier? To put them to shame? Is it simply to reflect Christ's own life? Is it just what I'm supposed to do?
Perhaps it goes way beyond all of that. When we allow ourselves to hate an enemy, disdain them, demean them, we dehumanize them. Even when our actions are obedient to these passages, if our hearts don't follow, we have closed ourselves off from these people. This is where Luke 6:36 enters into the equation: "Be compassionate, even as your Father is compassionate."
My third grader was teased terribly on the bus in kindergarten by a little girl who is now in her class this year. Apparently, this other child wants to be my daughter's friend now. My daughter has been resisting - after all, she was mean! But what if this other child has changed, grown up a bit? If my little one harbors that resentment, she does not allow for grace. I have suggested that she take another look, and give this little girl a second chance.
Without compassion, we do not allow people around us to change. We hold on to our picture of who someone is and, like a still shot, it never alters. But life is not a still shot. I am not who I was ten years ago. My life has moved me around, causing me to shift and change and grow.
Love your enemies. Pray for them. Bless them. Do good for them. Have compassion for them. Give them the space they need as they shift and grow. Look for God's image in them. Take it beyond the actions of obedience to an attitude of grace.
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