My Daily Pause

The Sermon on the Mount – Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890)

If they hate you, do them a good deed.

If they curse you, bless them.

If they abuse you, pray for them.

If they strike, turn the other cheek.

If they steal from you, give it and more to them.

Luke 6:27-36 may be the most difficult teachings from Jesus. I don’t know of anyone that truly exemplifies the principles in every way. Even Paul got upset when he was popped in the mouth for his beliefs! (Acts 23:1-3)

I can’t even say that I’ve heard a sermon that didn’t hedge these teachings a bit. They are taught by making them conditional to the situation or softened by saying they are not absolute commands.

It does seem to me that if we could master them, there would be very little sport in abusing Christians.

As Christians, we need to address this passage just like any other – so where do we start?

Let’s Flip this Around

We can think about it another way.

What if we just started treating others better? (And those we like don’t count! Luke 6:32-33) We need to treat those we don’t care for so much a little better – especially fellow Christians and people close to us that we are trying to influence to be Christians.

Since it is the most used weapon, the logical place to start is with our speech. Look at these:

• The tongue is a small member that can cause big trouble – James 3:5
• Corrupt speech is sinful – Ephesians 4:29-31
• Mind your own business – 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
• Babbling is ungodly – 2 Timothy 2:16
• Lay aside the evil thoughts – 1 Peter 2:1

If we all made an effort to prevent the other person from having to turn the other cheek, we would be rewarded with the same benefit.

Does that principle sound familiar? (Luke 6:31)

We can go a long way toward helping others obey the “Love Your Enemies” verses (Luke 6:27-36) by controlling ourselves. I am convinced that this is why Jesus spoke the golden rule (Luke 6:31) right in the middle of teaching us how to react to our enemies.

As Jesus was tried and his life taken, (Luke 23) we know the world became a different place. Changes were coming to the Lord’s kingdom, but what did not change was the basic groundwork that Christ laid while he was here.

As he went through being tried seven time for false charges, he demonstrated great strength and faced his enemies just as he taught us. The first words he spoke on the cross were even for their benefit. (Luke 23:34)

It is a difficult thing to do, but treating our enemies a certain way is part of being the image of God. From the beginning Jesus taught us to give our enemies:

• the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
• our cloak (Matthew 5:40)
• an extra mile (Matthew 5:41)
• what he asks for (Matthew 5:42)
• what he borrows (Matthew 5:42)

Not only is it Christ-like to treat our enemies this way, it is our responsibility to try to get the Gospel to them. What better way to prove we are not like the world than to treat them in an unexpected way?

Daily Bible reading for October 2

Psalm 62
2 Samuel 22:1-23:7
Ezekiel 23
Luke 23:26-56

¹⁷ Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
¹⁸ The Lord will notice and be displeased.
He may not be angry with them anymore. – Proverbs 23 NCV

This Proverb doesn’t allow the wicked and sinners a free pass if His followers celebrate their failures, but it is a clear warning to stay composed. The short comings of His people are more of a concern to Him than the actions of the lost.

Jesus said to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44) What better way to win over those that are against God than to display His Qualities in all situations.