Love & Lead...
10:18 Tuesday 3 January 2012
Reading about Jesus in the Bible always leaves me wanting to grow closer to God and to truly know Him more. As I learn to understand more of scripture I have become increasingly aware of how radical Jesus’ words and actions were to the culture of that time and place. In our society and culture that still struggles with many of the issues Jesus specifically taught into (money and power, to name but two), I wonder, if we are any wiser in knowing how to live out Jesus’ words than the disciples who’s ears and hearts were first touched by those culture-shaking ideas.
Take the “loving your enemies” idea. Really, I mean what does it look like to love your enemies? Do I have to love someone who has intentionally hurt me? Do I really have to do good to them? Bless them? Pray for them?
But I tell you who hear me: 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
Look around the world and there’s not a lot of “loving your enemy” going on. In fact, I would suggest we need only look at our own lives for a short time before we may find areas where, if we are really honest, this command has not taken root.
Jesus’ words challenge our human instincts, they point to what was to come and what was to be revealed through Jesus - that God loved us even when we were His enemies. They reveal a God so in love with us that while we were still sinners He gave up His life for us. And now he calls us to do the same. To love those who don’t deserve it, to bless those who speak badly of us, and to pray for those who have hurt us. Jesus said it and He did it.
People who live like this in our culture and society are at risk of being laughed at and mocked – it happened to Jesus too. But living out Jesus’ commands, brings a revelation of Him to those in our spheres of life, many of whom do not know Him. I am always challenged when faced with tough choices and situations as to whether people will see me respond, or whether they will see Jesus [in me] respond. What is sown when I respond of myself, is weak and quickly fades away, yet what is sown when I allow Jesus to respond through me is eternal and brings light into the darkness that surrounds.
As you love, you lead people into the light of Christ’s love.
I like that: as you love, you lead.