24 September 2007 Devotion for Today “How NOT to Play Fair” Luke 6:32-35
The story is told of two young boys who were sent to bed for fighting. After a while, the parents came upstairs to counsel them on their behavior, to get them to forgive each other, to have them say their prayers and to tuck them in to bed for the night. First, Bobby said his prayers, “Now I lay me down to sleep, etc.” Then Jimmy said his prayers. Then Dad said, “Jimmy, you still look mad. You are supposed to forgive your brother. Is there anything else you need to say?” Jimmy says “Yeah! If I don’t die before I wake, Bobby had better watch out in the morning!”
We’ve been taught all our lives to play fair, to play by the rules, to give back what other people give you. In fact justice operates on the principle of retribution. The Old Testament taught that the punishment ought to fit the crime- an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. We even teach our children to stand up for themselves and not to let anybody push them around, and if somebody shoves them in the hallway, then shove them back- just as long as the teacher doesn’t catch you doing it because that will cancel out everything! But then we go to church and we learn from Jesus that people who succeed in life do not go around settling scores. In fact, they do not even keep score. Instead, what they do is “run up the score” by doing good to others, even when the others do not deserve it- especially so. They give them better than they are given. As a result, they often bring the other person up to their level instead of being brought down to the level of the other. They are the ones who change things for the better. They are the ones who give back so much better than they are given. This morning, we’re going to look at how not to play fair in Luke 6:32-36
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” Luke 6:32-36
Jesus’ words to us simply describe the truth of what we see in the world. Pretty much everyone loves those who love back. Most people do good to those who do good to them. But to do good to people who do not deserve it is an altogether different animal. That animal is bred from the law of love. It has the power to improve relationships that are hurting. It has the power to turn them around. It has the power to give them a hug when you feel like wringing their neck! Instead of lowering yourself to their level, you elevate them to yours. This is the only way that good relationships continue and the only way that problem relationships get better.
Have a blessed day!
Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@embarqmail.com
jcrussell@liberty.edu
Church website: http://25621.lifewaylink.com
Devotion Archives: http://www.msnusers.com/DevotionforToday
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