Luke 6:27-38 (Kindly share your reflections and insights.Thank you!)?

Question

Luke 6:27-38 Jesus said to his disciples, " I say to you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly. To the one who strikes on the cheek, turn the other cheek; from the one who takes your coat, do not keep back your shirt. Give to the one who asks and if anyone has taken something from you, do not demand it back...

it will be very appreciated if you can take time to reflect and share your reflections on the above passage....

thanks a lot!

Shine on!

Answer 1

The insight is simple.

All Jesus was saying (with so many words though) is simply don't stoop down to their level.

Just don't be concerned about their lower level choices and keep a focus on the higher ones.

Quote: "Shine on!" - Yup! You got the idea with this part of the bible. *winks*

Hope this helps.

Best of wishes,
Jesse

Answer 2

Well, do you think that to hit out at someone (with a reason) makes good that one? Do you think denying something to a people, you could have it too when you will in necessity? I think Jesus was doing a great lesson of economy, politic and behaviour. So, fighting an enemy, you could win, but it had(?) your peace, not God's peace, and your enemies should be full of hate still, until the last revenge. Instead, trying, if we are able to, to build a bridge, means to try to break chains hoping that the will of love can go inside hearts. If we stay on usual roads, we know what answers wait. The new road, Jesus road that is God's road, is full of hopes, expectations, and trying and trying again with passion and determination, the answer could be different. Ciao

Answer 3

When Jesus instructed his followers “to lend without interest, not hoping for anything back,” did he mean that they should not ask back even the principal?

Jesus’ words recorded at Luke 6:35 are best understood against the background of the Mosaic Law. God there commanded Israelites to make interest-free loans to fellow Israelites who had become financially destitute and were in need of help. (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Matthew 5:42) These loans were not for a commercial purpose, a business undertaking. Rather, such interest-free loans were to relieve poverty or misfortune. After all, it would be most unloving to profit from a neighbor’s economic reverses. Still, the one making a loan was entitled to get back the principal, a pledge (security on the loan) sometimes being taken.—Deuteronomy 15:7, 8.

While upholding the Law, Jesus gave it an even broader application, saying that the one extending aid should not hope “for anything back.” Like the Israelites, Christians sometimes experience economic reverses or other circumstances that may leave them in poverty, even destitute. If a Christian brother in such a dire situation seeks financial aid, would it not be kind to render assistance? Indeed, genuine love would move a fellow Christian to want to help a brother who through no fault of his own gets into serious financial difficulty. (Proverbs 3:27) It may be possible to make a gift to such a needy brother, even though the amount may be less than one might provide as a loan.—Psalm 37:21.

In the first century C.E., the apostle Paul and Barnabas were commissioned to carry donations from Christians in Asia Minor to their brothers in Judea because of a famine. (Acts 11:28-30) Likewise today, when disaster strikes, Christians often send gifts to their needy brothers. In doing so, they also give a fine witness to others. (Matthew 5:16) Of course, the attitude and situation of the one seeking assistance comes into the picture. Why is he in need? Paul’s words are noteworthy: “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.”—2 Thessalonians 3:10.

If a brother requesting a loan is not in dire need but wants only temporary assistance to get back on his feet after some financial reverse, it might seem fitting to grant him an interest-free loan. Under such circumstances, making a loan with a view to full repayment would not be going contrary to Jesus’ words found at Luke 6:35. An agreement should be set out in writing, and the recipient of the loan should make every effort to repay it according to the terms agreed upon. Indeed, Christian love should impel the borrower to repay the loan just as it moved the giver to make it.

The one considering making a loan (or giving a gift) would also need to look at his own family situation. For instance, would he compromise his ability to care for the needs of his family members, a Scriptural priority? (2 Corinthians 8:12; 1 Timothy 5:8) Still, Christians look for opportunities to show love for one another, expressing that love in practical ways that are in harmony with Bible principles.—James 1:27; 1 John 3:18; 4:7-11.

Answer 4

All I can say is the scriptures tell you that doing good to your enemies is like heaping burning coals on their head.

I think you can also read into those verses that we should not even consider vengeance on our enemies. Turn that over to the Lord to determine what to do with them.

If you do not forgive your enemies, you are heaping burning coals on your head. Unforgiveness eats at the soul. It creates great anger than will ruin the unforgiving person, but will not have any effect on their enemies.

Why destroy yourself, forgive those that spitefully use you and find love in your heart for them.

Remember, we do not battle against flesh and blood, but against the demonic powers in the second heaven.

grace2u

Answer 5

Friend you can not take scriptures out of contents without seeing the whole picture, I read those verses, & it is true for us to pray for them. Do good unto them, But there comes a time also to draw a line, When Jesus walked this earth, He called the religoius people Hypocrites, Scribes & pharsees, & sadduccees,, So is it in this time, we have to call it what we see, Because the bible also says to stand fast unto thy calling, not given over to suducing spirits, & not to have fellowship with darkness. It also says for us not to cast thy pearl before swines, which means if you know someone that will never changed, walk away from them & not to keep on talking to them.

Answer 6

firstly, this reminds me of something I said in a previous question, about rendering a concept to its essence and finding its place in a greater puzzle. you might find that interesting for this, it was only a question or two ago.

I would say to put it rather simply, that Jesus is offering the insight of God, that you should give all that you have... to unconditionally love, and forgive, all that is.

there is a phrase, in the Pierke Avot (can't spell...) I think it was, "Whats yours is yours, and whats mine is yours" the bottom line of it is developing an unconditional love, forgiveness and giving towards *everything* and *everyone* on the principle that this is a nature very much of God, and to emulate this is a very holy goal.

you could say that this is also a degree of having Trust in God, to provide for you what you need. but of course the "tricky" part of it... is that the crucial essence of the thing is it being a true, altruistic, unconditional love, giving, and forgiveness(if appropriate) for all that is.

Answer 7

These are our instructions to return good for evil. In these verses Jesus is teaching:
Our duty to our enemies.
That cursing is forbidden
Prayer is enjoined
Meekness is urged
Retaliation is forbidden
Benevolence, Alms,and other instructions to do good.
Lending is urged.
Mercy is commanded because of the mercy of God.
Giving is urged, as well as forgiveness.
There is quite the bit of moral lessons taught here.

Answer 8

This is living by the "the Golden Rule". Can it be done? Not perfectly in this lifetime. But it is what we are to strive for. That is, in our personal lives. It is NOT a receipe for a judicial system or a system that Goverments are to operate on. Also, trying to live by this rule, does NOT save us. Because we cant do it perfectly. And if we want it to, then Jesus says "You must be PERFECT as your Father in heaven is PERFECT..-Matt 5:48 Thats why "works" cant save us. We cant be perfect. But it IS to be our guide, as far as trying to follow Christs plan for us in trying to live out our lives. ...theBerean Note to Birdflie: Your answer is good until your final point, then you violate your own rule about context. The casting "pearls before swine" is refering to hypocritical believers, NOT about sharing or not sharing the gospel with people you "think are never going to change". It is so-called believers that "cast pearls before swine" and bring reproach to the cause of Christ, by being hypocritical. Pleas check out the CONTEXT of Mattew 7:4-6 especially verse 5. Im sorry, I had to comment on this, but this phrase "pearl before swine " has been missused until it has become an EXCUSE by christians NOT to witness to someone they dont like.....theBerean

Answer 9

Thank you for reminding us. It is, of course, the most difficult thing to do, but the Lord never said it would be easy. God bless you.

"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those that find it." (Matthew 7:14).

Answer 10

I think Jesus gave this commandment to his disciples to show something of Himself to the world through us. He was beaten, whipped, taunted, spat on and humiliated, falsely acused and finally murdered. Yet, He never complained. He never tried to defend His kingship and never zapped anyone with a lightning bolt. He still had absolute authority, yet He did nothing! He reacted in pure love by asking the Father to forgive them for they know not what they do! Do then as Jesus did and show Him to the world. The Bible speaks of heaping firy coals on your enemy's head. This is the fervent love of the believer that he shows, even in adversity, to testify of the One living in him/her. And through this firy love, God breaks through to even the hardest heart!