Love and Lend Without Expectations
Hoop Dee Doo! Scripture never grows old! My current Bible study sent me to Luke 6:27-36. Yup, the familiar "Loving Your Enemies" passage.
Here's a check list.
Verses 27-31 in the CEV
Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.
Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek.
If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt.
Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you.
Treat others just as you want to be treated.
Verses 35-36
But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back.
Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven.
He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel.
Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.
That's a good refresher course for me.
I've had to grow old to learn the lesson that people who are hurtful to others need lots of love. Something is broken inside. It's not human nature to love them, pray for them, give to them, or ask God to bless them; especially when you know God isn't first in their lives. Yet, God loves them and longs for them to come home to the Father. He is continually merciful to us and has pity on our sinful state, so we should see them as his precious lost sheep and have pity on them while praying for their safe return.
The Song
"Run to the Father" Cody Carnes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTHS4W1bPj8
