be merciful, just as your Father is merciful [xanga version]
(this is all based on Luke 6:27-36)
We know this 'love your enemies' thing pretty well.
We put forth extra effort to make sure our enemies feel loved
we don't want to accidentally push them away from the love of God.
We put forth extra effort to make sure our enemies feel loved
we don't want to accidentally push them away from the love of God.
but what about the ones that we do love?
do we try hard to make sure they always feel loved
do we take their company for granted?
take their faithfulness and friendship for granted?
do we take their company for granted?
take their faithfulness and friendship for granted?
do we assume that it's okay to joke around with the assurance that we can just explain ourselves later if they get hurt?
are we accidentally pushing the very ones we love away from the love of God?
If we are to love our enemies, how much more should we love the ones we actually say we love?
If we are to do good to those who hate you, how much better should we treat the ones who accept us?
If we are to bless those who curse you, how much more are we to bless those who bless us?
If we are to pray for those who mistreat you, how much more should we pray for those that treat us well?
If we are to do good to those who hate you, how much better should we treat the ones who accept us?
If we are to bless those who curse you, how much more are we to bless those who bless us?
If we are to pray for those who mistreat you, how much more should we pray for those that treat us well?
"If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also." [heard it a million times, right?]
"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." [familiar?]
"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." [familiar?]
If a robber comes and takes your jewelry and still wants more, let him take more. If, upon leaving, he notices your nice watch, give it to him.
why?
because the Bible says so. ha.
and -- although not exactly stated as follows -- so that we can imitate the mercy of the Father.
plus, who needs the nice watch more - you who are well off? or they who feel the need to break the law in order to be well off?
but what about in the case of a cat burglar or a rich thief?
--they could just have a higher standard of being well-off
--they could have a stronger desire to break the law than you
and -- although not exactly stated as follows -- so that we can imitate the mercy of the Father.
plus, who needs the nice watch more - you who are well off? or they who feel the need to break the law in order to be well off?
but what about in the case of a cat burglar or a rich thief?
--they could just have a higher standard of being well-off
--they could have a stronger desire to break the law than you
but really, do the little cases matter?
the main idea is that we are to reflect the mercy that the Father has shown to the world.
the main idea is that we are to reflect the mercy that the Father has shown to the world.
but what about 'self-defense'? what about justice? what about reimbursement?
forget it. there's no need.
when someone robs you, don't shoot them. if they attack you or those with you, judge whether or not you want to protect the rights to physical and mental wellness. but you don't need to harm the other person to make them stop doing wrong. you shouldn't do ANYTHING to stop them. give them your tunic.
when someone robs you, don't shoot them. if they attack you or those with you, judge whether or not you want to protect the rights to physical and mental wellness. but you don't need to harm the other person to make them stop doing wrong. you shouldn't do ANYTHING to stop them. give them your tunic.
is justice being overthrown here?
by plain definition, heck yes: justice is getting what you deserve.
if we're talking about God's law, then there's no discussion: there's always mercy. if we do something wrong, we deserve Hell (by justice alone).
if we're talking about governmental law, then here's the discussion: your mercy will overrule the justice. and that's good.
by plain definition, heck yes: justice is getting what you deserve.
if we're talking about God's law, then there's no discussion: there's always mercy. if we do something wrong, we deserve Hell (by justice alone).
if we're talking about governmental law, then here's the discussion: your mercy will overrule the justice. and that's good.
another thing: we don't seek our possessions back. "if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back."if someone steals our watch, and they get caught by the police, we don't demand the watch back.
if the police try to give it back to us, what should we do?
there's no certain way to react. but, since the main goal is to "be merciful, just as your Father is merciful", then I will aim for mercy and offer that the robber keep the watch. personally, I think this is much of a stronger testimony of love to a person than our own idea of justice.
there's no certain way to react. but, since the main goal is to "be merciful, just as your Father is merciful", then I will aim for mercy and offer that the robber keep the watch. personally, I think this is much of a stronger testimony of love to a person than our own idea of justice.
the reason God is just is because God's justice opens people up for loving. it's all because of love. His justice is in no way separate from His love. every characteristic is intertwined, and every connecting piece is love.
in fact, unless our justice is BASED (and not merely justified) by love, we have no business seeking justice.
we are to leave justice to the God who IS Justice.
in fact, unless our justice is BASED (and not merely justified) by love, we have no business seeking justice.
we are to leave justice to the God who IS Justice.
"...lend to them without expecting to get anything back."
how far do we take this maxim?
I think this applies all around the board:
-if somebody is begging for money, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody holds you up at gunpoint and demands your money, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody asks for money but isn't sure if they can pay you back, give it to them and expect nothing back [even though they hint at the idea that they can pay you back]
-if somebody asks to borrow money (borrowing requires payback) but is forgetful and probably won't remember to pay you back, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody promises they will pay you back, but has a horrible history of never paying people back, still, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody promises they will pay you back, even still, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody is begging for money, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody holds you up at gunpoint and demands your money, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody asks for money but isn't sure if they can pay you back, give it to them and expect nothing back [even though they hint at the idea that they can pay you back]
-if somebody asks to borrow money (borrowing requires payback) but is forgetful and probably won't remember to pay you back, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody promises they will pay you back, but has a horrible history of never paying people back, still, give it to them and expect nothing back.
-if somebody promises they will pay you back, even still, give it to them and expect nothing back.
you CAN trust someone's intentions/word without expecting anything back from them.
all that this requires is the 'benefit-of-the-doubt' mindset.
'they wanted to keep their word, but ended up not being able to'
all that this requires is the 'benefit-of-the-doubt' mindset.
'they wanted to keep their word, but ended up not being able to'
"be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" [Luke 6:36]
