Here’s something that God taught me a couple years ago that rocked me to my core. It rocked me because it’s so simple, yet revolutionary and freeing.
It’s not about how others treat you, but how you treat others.
Simple right? Harder than it seems, too.
As humans, we are relational. We spend time with people. We form friendships. We share our lives. But when someone treats us poorly, even a stranger, we want justice. We want that person or people to pay. Sometimes we want revenge. This is our natural instinct.
But is that best? I think not, because Jesus taught something completely revolutionary. He taught that if someone strikes your right cheek, then turn to them your left. He taught that a person shouldn’t be forgiven seven times, but seventy times seven. He also taught without words that you should even be willing to die for those who hate you.
And to make it even simpler, he states it in Luke 6:29-36.
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
It’s called showing the love of God, and it is extremely hard to do, but the rewards are so much greater than we can ever imagine. And who knows, by illustrating this kind of love, then maybe, just maybe, someone will see God in you and accept his son, Jesus, as their savior.
