September 23 Do the Blessing

Luke 6:27-31 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
 
DO you notice all the “do’s” in this Scripture? Oftentimes I hear, “I want to know God’s will for my life.” Well, here it is. One aspect of God’s will is what he wants you to DO to live in his grace now and forever.
   Likely you have heard these “do” teachings, especially verse 31, many times. This “Golden Rule” is popular in the culture as well as prominent in the church. We understand doing to others as we want them to do to us, don’t we?
   Perhaps we do if we think this is all about doing nice things to someone and having them do nice things for you. Surely you want people to “do” to you with respect and support, “Way to go. Great job. You are good.” You are eager for them to say, “I forgive you. I want to help you. Can I be your friend?”
   But what if we aren’t good? What happens if we are doing things that need correction? Do we really want someone to “do” to us with correction? Is it a good thing to be treated with, “You need to adjust your walk with Jesus to do as he teaches. The only right thing for you to do is forgive.”
   Our culture, it seems, has become trapped in inappropriate “do good” affirmation, refusing to correct or challenge even children in their errors. Certainly we must “do” to others with kind words and godly encouragement. The Bible contains many such admonitions to do proper affirmation. “You did it! That was great!” are important words.
   Please be mindful, too, that the Bible teaches you it is good, right and necessary to “do” correction to one another. God tells us what to do because he wants us to “do life” right. We are to learn and teach his ways, so the world will do more of God’s will here on earth. But arrogantly, we do not accept godly correction from even well-meaning friends in Christ. Could it be that many people disregard church, the Bible and God because they do not want to be treated with his truth?   
   The truth is, we need to feel badly about things we’ve done. (Remember “Blessed are those who mourn.”) And we must have a mind to learn how to do things correctly. This is the only means to improve our spiritual and physical lives. Humility and submission must be our guides to receive and do corrective teachings and encouragements. This is called sanctification – recognizing our sins and striving to replace them with biblical truth.
Do to others as Jesus has done to you. He has spoken correction. He has demonstrated true ways to live. Remember these are his ways of love, and we are to love in the same way – to serve, honor, forgive, and even to correct someone to point them to Jesus.  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your great love to teach me what to do. Amen.