How Are We Treating Others?

 N.T.#521 "How Are We Treating Others?"

April 3, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 11

LET IT GLOW

We are heading to Kansas City on Tuesday, so I'm writing this ahead of time. We are meeting our daughter, her husband, and one grandson there for dinner. Although the trip is a 4-hour drive, I can endure. Its been 5 months since we visited with our daughter and 9 months since we saw our grandson. It is time for him to decide which college to attend, since he will be finishing up courses at the community college in their state. So it will be a joyful few hours spent with our family. I would leap for joy if I didn't have a chance of falling and breaking my ankle bone again.

I ask myself if that is the kind of joy the scripture is speaking of in verse 23. Rejoice and leap for joy when people hate me, ignore me, and say evil about me? Well, I wouldn't carry it to that extreme, but Jesus said to leap for joy because our reward is great in heaven. (It takes me a while to get over those hurt feelings.) We should do this because Jesus told us. I get it. Yet, I can recall many times when church members snubbed me because they didn't like the stand I took. 

It is good to keep in mind that Luke was a Gentile. He was the only Gentile to write a book of the bible. Maybe that is why he left out some of the Beatitudes, not being a Jew. 

Here is what we have learned so far as to how we are supposed to treat others:

Love your enemies, do good to them, lend to them without expecting repayment, bless them, pray for them, turn the other cheek, give to them, be merciful to them. Whew! That is a lot to take in. 

Verse 30 tells us to Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. (NLT)

Jesus requires His believers to initiate helpful actions toward others. (Falwell)

To be honest, I think I am failing more than obeying these instructions. How about you? Do we have some things to work on in our life and attitude?

LET IT GROW

We pick up in verse 31, And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 

This is known as The Golden Rule. Treat others like you want to be treated. If we want to be treated graciously, generously, compassionately, then we need to do so toward others. It will come back to us in full measure, according to verse 38.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to have different values than the world. Are we distinguishable as such? When we show love to those who do not love us, we are showing them Jesus' love. Is our life reflecting the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father? Is it our desire to be like children of the Highest?

I definitely have some homework to do.

LET IT GO

Let go of hurt feelings, being taken advantage of, snubbed.

Help us act like a child of the King, the Most High God.

May I forgive others as I desire Your forgiveness.

Remind me how to treat others today.