ESOCS Devotional 16 January 2023
TEXT: LUKE 6:27-38
MEMORY VERSE: “No! Love your enemies, and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward and you will be the children of the Most High God. For He is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Luke 6:35 GNB
During one of the Lord’s teaching sessions, as recorded in our text, the Master urged us to extend love to enemies, as well as well-wishers alike. Even those who utterly hate you. As a true believer, there is a need to do good to everyone, irrespective of how they regard or treat you. Believers should also bless those who curse and wish them evil.
In this context, as in Matthew 5:39-48, the Lord differentiated the Christian’s life of love and mercy from the selfish life of those who live without regard for others. Jesus demonstrated the loving spirit of a good citizen and child of God that would bring about peace, unity and harmony in society. It follows, therefore, that if human societies lived according to these principles, there would be no need for lawsuits and police cases (Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:13-14).
Besides, it is the nature and character of godly people to live and behave as God. God is all merciful, and His mercies endure forever (Psalms 118:1; 136:1). He is ever ready to forgive. His love is also an everlasting love, which love He extends to the good, the bad and the ugly. God so loves the world that He offered up His loving and only Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race (John 3:16).
The love that is hereby portrayed must be demonstrated by all who profess to be God’s children. Moreover, those who love their brothers and sisters, do not stand in judgment. We are therefore under obligation to show love and mercy to all and sundry, as we would expect God to do unto us (Psalm 18:25).
- David showed love and mercy to a total stranger and enemy; it helped to pave way for him to “pursue, overtake and recover all” (1 Samuel 30:11-19). Ponder over.
- Lord Jesus, help me to live out a life of love and mercy, just as you demonstrated.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 65:1-16; Isaiah 45: 14-17; 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 16 January 2023
