Psalm of the Day: Psalm 73:1-12
Wisdom of the Day: Ecclesiastes 10:11-20
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-38
The teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ is confined to one great subject. That subject is Christian charity, or love. Charity is the bond of perfectness without which a man is nothing in God's sight.
In the first place, our Lord explains the nature and extent of charity. The disciples might ask: WHOM are we to love? He bids them to "Love their enemies. Do good to those who hate them. Bless those who curse them and pray for those who despitefully use them." Their love was to be like His own love towards sinners — unselfish, and uninfluenced by any hope of return.
The disciples might ask: What was to be the MANNER of this love? It was to be self-sacrificing and self-denying. "If someone smites you on the one cheek, turn the other cheek to him as well." "If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your shirt as well."
They were to give up much, and endure much for the sake of showing kindness and avoiding strife. They were to forego even their rights, and submit to wrong rather than awaken angry passions and create quarrels. In this they were to be like their Master patient, meek, and lowly of heart.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to love others more than myself, including my enemies.
Action Plan: How can I love people more than myself, especially my enemies? How often do I pray for my enemies? Jesus died for his enemies. How can I serve mine?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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