City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

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.

–Luke 6:32-36

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

²² for you will heap burning coals on his head,

    and the Lord will reward you.

–Proverbs 25:21-22

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s scriptures call us to love our enemies. This is a tough call of duty to any and every believer who is experiencing an unloving situation, but according to today’s verses in Luke, this is what characterizes us as “sons of the Most High” (v. 35).

While it is entirely effortless to be good to those who do good to us, it is completely counterintuitive to “love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” (v. 35). How is it even possible? Doesn’t it violate Newton’s third law?: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” 

According to the above scriptures, it is not only achievable, but something that Jesus expects from us as His followers. Because of God’s grace, we don’t have to return evil for evil because evil has already been taken care of forever, fully, and finally on the cross. 

We are sons of the Most High when we love our enemies because in doing so, we are modeling what God has done for us. Imagine if God gave us what we deserve? There would be no one left on the planet. He would have to wipe us out! 

Instead, He mercifully created a path forward for us by absorbing the consequences of our sin upon Himself.  Because of His mercy, God is no longer hostile towards sinful humanity. He’s standing with arms stretched wide, ready to receive us back into His loving arms.

It is only through receiving the fullness of God’s mercy towards us personally, that we can extend that same kindness to others. Apart from God, it is only natural to react, resist, or push back to evil. However, because of God’s grace, we can choose a different way–the upward call to love.  

Not only does this unveil Christ to the world around us, but it also liberates us from the vicious cycle of returning evil for evil. We are no longer bound to the dictates of our flesh. We are free to choose God’s way, and this inward transformation is what changes the world.

Application

If God showed love to His enemies (us), how much more should we? How can you break a painful pattern you might currently be trapped in? What is something you could do differently to respond in a more loving way? What is God asking you to do?   

Exercise your freedom to obey God and leave evil in the dust!

Prayer

Father God, I admit that love is not my natural response to evil. However, Your love towards me changes everything. Help me to receive the fullness of Your love, that I might extend it to others more readily. In Jesus’ name, amen.