The Way
The purpose of our walk with God on earth is to help prepare us for life in heaven. Here we get to practice the ways of God. God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to learn God's ways and to live them. Many people fail to live the abundant life Jesus died for them to have because they refuse to truly embrace the ways of God.
For some reason, we feel that to give up our selfish way of living that has done nothing but bring us misery and heart ache is too difficult. We don't want to put forth any effort to have a better life we just want God to wave His hands in the air and get an instant miracle. But that is not how God works.
God has instructed us to love people and He has provided everything we need in order to do it. His Holy Spirit that lives in us has all the power, wisdom, insight, and ability we need in order to love people. Although God has provided the way for us to love, it is still our choice to do so. We have to decide this is what we are going to do and then just do it.
Loving imperfect people is hard work. It requires effort, discipline and practice. None of us get good at it over night and only those who stick with it will receive the rewards of doing it.
"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless of course you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Luke 6:35-38 The Message
These words of Jesus from the Message Bible specifically describe practical things we can learn to do that will reflect the love God has so generously given to us. Read the passage again. Do you see how different our ways are from God's?
We demonstrate God's love when we find and focus on the good in every person. Dwelling on someone's faults or weaknesses only breeds dislike, haughtiness, and division. Love does not gossip or condemn others. Know that how you treat people is the way you will be treated.
To live God's way means that we overlook the hurts others have inflicted and hold no grudges. It does not mean we allow people to walk all over us or abuse us. We do, however, forgive quickly and don't retaliate with hatefulness. When someone is bad mouthing you, ignore their words. Respond with love by offering to help them when they have a problem. Let Jesus be your example of how to react when people mistreat you.
There are two promises in this passage of scripture. One, it is worth the effort to love people. Jesus promises us that we will not regret changing from our ways to His. Two, our life will be easier when we go easy on each other. Waiting for people to be good to us before we start being good to them is not part of this equation. Jesus tells us to initiate the kindness. Like a boomerang that comes back at you, you will be treated the way you treat others.
Jesus said He is the way. Practice loving people by imitating Him.
Heidirn
For some reason, we feel that to give up our selfish way of living that has done nothing but bring us misery and heart ache is too difficult. We don't want to put forth any effort to have a better life we just want God to wave His hands in the air and get an instant miracle. But that is not how God works.
God has instructed us to love people and He has provided everything we need in order to do it. His Holy Spirit that lives in us has all the power, wisdom, insight, and ability we need in order to love people. Although God has provided the way for us to love, it is still our choice to do so. We have to decide this is what we are going to do and then just do it.
Loving imperfect people is hard work. It requires effort, discipline and practice. None of us get good at it over night and only those who stick with it will receive the rewards of doing it.
"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless of course you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Luke 6:35-38 The Message
These words of Jesus from the Message Bible specifically describe practical things we can learn to do that will reflect the love God has so generously given to us. Read the passage again. Do you see how different our ways are from God's?
We demonstrate God's love when we find and focus on the good in every person. Dwelling on someone's faults or weaknesses only breeds dislike, haughtiness, and division. Love does not gossip or condemn others. Know that how you treat people is the way you will be treated.
To live God's way means that we overlook the hurts others have inflicted and hold no grudges. It does not mean we allow people to walk all over us or abuse us. We do, however, forgive quickly and don't retaliate with hatefulness. When someone is bad mouthing you, ignore their words. Respond with love by offering to help them when they have a problem. Let Jesus be your example of how to react when people mistreat you.
There are two promises in this passage of scripture. One, it is worth the effort to love people. Jesus promises us that we will not regret changing from our ways to His. Two, our life will be easier when we go easy on each other. Waiting for people to be good to us before we start being good to them is not part of this equation. Jesus tells us to initiate the kindness. Like a boomerang that comes back at you, you will be treated the way you treat others.
Jesus said He is the way. Practice loving people by imitating Him.
Heidirn
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