ESOCS Devotional 6 June 2026 – Take the Lead
MEMORY VERSE: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
TEXT: LUKE 6:27-38
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
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Our text is the scripture upon which the “Golden Rule” is hinged. It is a message that encourages everyone to take the lead in whatever it is we want to get from others or even see in them.
Interestingly, this is the message of Jesus Christ – practical Christianity. In literally all the issues of life, he took the lead and pointed us to the right way.
Here are some of the areas we need to take the lead:
Love: It is not possible to expect love when you do not love yourself. All the times you ever complained of not being loved, did you also consider how many persons you loved? We must come to the point where we are at the forefront of showing love, not just to family members but to everyone in the Church and society at large. If we all take the lead in the area of love, we will collectively deal with the issues of hatred, enmity, rancour, and acrimony in our generation. The next time you enter an environment of hatred, initiate the process of loving and you will be glad you did.
Peace: Ironically, we pray for peace but are never peaceful. We flame up at the slightest provocation. Whether it has to do with marital peace, family peace, association, church, society or national peace the process surely begins with you. Yes! You have the key to the peace you are looking for in your environment. Take the lead today in making peace and be rest assured that the crises would be over.
Forgiveness: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). You can’t be expecting forgiveness when you are not a forgiver yourself. We can categorically state that the bitterness and rancour that exist among ourselves is because we have failed to take the lead in forgiving the offenders and ourselves. Nothing ends quarrel like when you sincerely apologize. Be a forgiver today, even in your marriage; for marriage is about two forgivers living together.
Compassion and care: We often complain of how the indigent people are neglected but fail to give them from the little provision God gives us. How many have you have you cared for or shown compassion. Jesus showed compassion anywhere He went. Take the lead.
Reflections
- Lead the campaign for love and peace everywhere you are.
Prayers
- Father, thank you for the admonition, forgive our days of ignorance and grant us the grace to always take the lead, in Jesus name.
Further Reading: Exodus 8:16-end; 1 Kings 20:1-21; John 5:19-29; Revelation 3:7-end
ESOCS Devotional 6 June 2026
