Got Ears? Listen To This...

I received an email this morning with the Bible verse of the day. I often like to study the verse out. Every so often I will post what I learn.

Luke 6:27- 28 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you"

I Say unto you which hear:
This verse is for those who have the capacity to understand and perceive what is being said. Whether you physically can hear or you "hear" by sign language...it is for you.

Love your enemies:
The Greek word love (agape in this verse) means to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. The Greek word ‘enemies’ describes someone that is hostile, hateful or opposing. Yes, it may be a big task at times, but we are not just asked but we are commanded to LOVE those that are unkind, negative, unloving, rude, quarrelsome, contentious and negative.

Do good to them that hate you:
The verb ‘do’ in this verse translates as to bear or to produce. We are to bear and produce good attitudes towards them that are negative, rude, quarrelsome, contentious and dislike us. What does it mean to ‘do good’? It is producing attitudes that are beautiful, upright, commendable, honorable and excellent. The Greek even points out that to ‘do good’ is to speak well of one. This means speak of them in an acceptable, upright and nice manner.

Bless them that curse you:
To bless in the Greek translates as to invoke blessings and to praise. Pray blessings upon them. Compliment them. This will also help you…just in case you are in need of a little attitude adjustment yourself. There are people who can be condemning and criticizing…just pray blessings upon them and love ‘em, love ‘em and love ‘em some more.

Pray for them that despitefully use you:
This one is pretty self-explanatory…Pray for them that insult you, treat you in an abusive manner and accuse falsely. Someone who is abusive is characterized by wrong or improper action. This can cover a wide variety of characteristics, but the main thing to remember is to pray for them.

This is a verse I have discussed with my kids often…not just in how they treat each other but to help them understand what to do when they feel others have mistreated them. In Matthew 18 Jesus said that we should become as little children (vs. 3) and to humble ourselves as little children (vs. 4). Why use the analogy of children? Children in their innocence are not naturally proud, haughty or arrogant. Those are behaviors that are learned through the years by observation. But, children seek to please those around them. They want people to be proud of them and show them love. So, it is easy to forgive and to love others. As adults, we sometimes forget these attributes. We have allowed things to cloud our thinking. Which in turn means that we have to work harder to love and forgive. But, if we keep our minds and heart free from the clutter of this world by prayer and reading the Word, it becomes second nature to love and look for the good in others. Why? Because, we become more like Him. That is the ultimate goal…to be like Jesus. To love as He loved. Forgive as He forgave.