“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 NIV
This is such a familiar verse that we tend to gloss over it. We read it, and accept it, agreeing that it’s a good idea, but how often do we actually take the time to pray for those who give us a hard time? If they are confrontational and really cause us grief, we probably pray about the situation, and most likely pray for ourselves in regard to the situation, but I doubt we spend much time praying for the person, lifting their needs before the Father and petitioning Him to bless their lives.
Jesus goes on to show us how we should respond to their mistreatment.
“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” Luke 6:29-30 NIV
He basically says it’s not enough to tolerate and put up with their abuse, but brings it to a whole new level when he tells us to go above and beyond even what they unfairly demand of us. We are to willingly submit to whatever they ask of us.
Then He gives us this rule of thumb to use whenever we aren’t sure how we should respond:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
Switch roles, in your mind, and imagine how you would want them to respond to you if you were in their shoes, then respond that way. Is it because they deserve such treatment? No, it’s simply because that’s what God is asking us to do. Why does He ask this of us? Because that’s what He does. He goes the extra mile, above and beyond what we deserve all the time! He is always kind, even when mistreated and unappreciated. As His children, He wants us to be just like Him! I love that! I mean think about it, we get to be His children, and He wants us to be just like Him; that’s pretty cool!
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And 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. But 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 children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:32-36 NIV