Luke 6:27-38
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:27
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
It’s part of Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and compassion. In these verses, Jesus encourages his followers to show love and kindness even to their enemies, those who hate them, curse them, or mistreat them. It’s a powerful message of forgiveness and turning the other cheek, emphasizing the transformative power of love and prayer.
Kingdom forgiveness and love for all, which is seen as a way to emulate the love and compassion of God. Many people find inspiration and guidance in these verses when dealing with difficult or hurtful situations, as they encourage a mindset of reconciliation and healing.
In these verses, Jesus further expands on the concept of loving your enemies and practicing radical love and compassion. He advises turning the other cheek when someone strikes you, giving freely to those in need, treating others as you would like to be treated (the Golden Rule), and showing kindness even to those who may not reciprocate.
The teaching emphasizes that such acts of love and kindness distinguish the followers of Jesus from the ways of the world. By doing so, one can become a reflection of God’s mercy and kindness, as God is seen as being merciful even to the unthankful and the evil.
Cultivate a spirit of forgiveness, compassion, and love in their lives, even in the face of adversity.
The idea that vengeance belongs to God and not to individuals is a common theme in several religious and spiritual traditions, including Christianity. It emphasizes the principle of leaving judgment and retribution to a higher power, rather than seeking revenge personally. This concept is often derived from biblical teachings and can be found in various passages in the Bible.
One of the most well-known references to this concept can be found in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy:
**Deuteronomy 32:35 (KJV):** “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
This verse suggests that seeking vengeance is ultimately the responsibility of God, and individuals should trust in divine justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.
The New Testament also teaches similar principles of forgiveness and leaving room for God’s judgment:
**Romans 12:19 (KJV):** “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
This verse encourages believers to refrain from seeking personal vengeance and to allow God to handle matters of justice and retribution.
The idea behind these teachings is to promote forgiveness, reconciliation, and a sense of justice without resorting to retaliation or hatred. It encourages individuals to trust that God will ultimately bring about justice in His own way and time. This concept is a reminder of the importance of mercy, grace and forgiveness in our interactions with others.
Ephesians 4:26 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically from the Book of Ephesians. It provides guidance on handling anger and avoiding sin in the context of anger. Here’s the verse in its entirety:
**Ephesians 4:26 (KJV):** “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
This verse acknowledges that anger is a human emotion and a natural response to various situations. However, it also tell the believers not to let their anger lead them into sinful actions or prolonged bitterness. The instruction “let not the sun go down upon your wrath” suggests that anger should not be harbored or allowed to fester. Instead, it encourages individuals to resolve their conflicts and address their anger promptly, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness if necessary.
This verse promotes the idea that it’s acceptable to feel anger, but it’s important to manage it in a way that doesn’t lead to sinful behavior or prolonged grudges. It emphasizes the importance of addressing and resolving conflicts in a timely and constructive manner.
Unconditional Love – When Peter denied Jesus Christ, He even promoted him to feed the sheep.
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Unconditional Love (Agape)
-Prefix Un means NOT conditional
-Regardless
-Absolute
-No limitations
-Not required
I love my enemies.
I bless them who curse me.
I pray for my persecutor and people who are using me.
Praying for those who persecute or despitefully use you can be a challenging but spiritually rewarding practice. It’s rooted in the teachings of forgiveness, compassion, and love that are central to many religious and spiritual traditions. Here are some steps to help you pray for your persecutors:
1. Reflect on Your Feelings: Before you can pray for your persecutor, take some time to reflect on your own feelings and emotions. Acknowledge any anger, hurt, or resentment you may be experiencing. It’s essential to be honest with yourself about your emotions before you can move toward forgiveness.
2. Pray for Strength: Begin your prayer by asking for the strength and guidance to forgive and love your persecutor despite their actions. This may be challenging, so seek divine help to cultivate a compassionate heart.
3. Pray for Understanding: Try to understand your persecutor’s perspective and the reasons behind their actions. This doesn’t justify their behavior but can help you empathize with them as fellow human beings who may be struggling or suffering in some way.
4. Offer Forgiveness: Pray for the willingness to forgive your persecutor genuinely. This forgiveness isn’t about condoning their actions but releasing yourself from the burden of resentment and anger. Ask for the grace to let go of the negative emotions that bind you.
5. Pray for Their Well-being: Offer prayers for the well-being and transformation of your persecutor. You can ask for blessings, healing, or guidance for them, depending on your beliefs. Your intention should be their growth and positive change.
6. Pray for Peace and Healing: Pray for peace and healing for yourself as well. Ask for the strength to move forward with love in your heart, regardless of the situation.
7. Be Patient: Forgiveness and healing take time, and it may not happen overnight. Continue to pray for your persecutor regularly, and be patient with yourself as you work through your own emotions.
8. Take Practical Steps: Alongside prayer, consider taking practical steps to address the situation, if possible and safe to do so. This might involve setting boundaries, seeking reconciliation, or seeking legal help, depending on the nature of the persecution.
9. Seek Support: It can be helpful to seek support from a spiritual leader, counselor, or support group. They can provide guidance, encouragement, and a safe space to discuss your feelings and progress.
10. Practice Self-Compassion: Remember to show yourself the same love and compassion that you’re extending to your persecutor. Self-forgiveness and self-compassion are integral parts of the healing process.
Praying for your persecutor is a profound act of love and forgiveness. While it may not lead to an immediate change in their behavior, it can bring about inner peace and transformation within yourself. Remember that forgiveness is a journey, and it’s okay to struggle with it at times. Keep faith in your spiritual practice, and over time, you may find that your heart becomes more open and compassionate.
Following Jesus Christ
Luke 6:47-49
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
