Note: A slew of suggestions for the book, Bro. Rene's Daily Bread, came in yesterday and it looks like another big number will come in today. Will begin selecting and editing this weekend (maybe even today) in hopes that it will appear in time for January 1, 2021. Please feel free to add your own suggestions, and thanks to those who have already done so.
Luke 6:27-38
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit 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 benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Jesus leaves us with a tall order, Love your enemies, and don't judge others: the recipe for a lifetime, full of hits and misses because it demands so much of us: understanding, tolerance, patience, self-denial, humility, and, of course, genuine love. These virtues do not come easy and demand prayer and effort. Only through prayer and asking for the eyes and heart of God can we put them into practice. We can help one another too by our example and stated efforts to live them out. Remember the old adage we learned in grade school? "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Still works and is needed more than ever today.
Bro. Rene
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