Humbling yourself to Love

Matthew 5:38-48 (New International Version)

An Eye for an Eye
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[a] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[c] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Human nature and our world tell us to demand our rights. If we are wronged, we should strike back, take up for ourselves, look out for number one. Perhaps you need to reevaluate who is number one in your life!!

Jesus calls us to demonstrate his love, always.

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)

37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Did you get that? Jesus tells us the "first and greatest commandment" is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. But he didn't stop there, "the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." God commands us to love. He puts high value on our ability to react to people, all people, with love. We are to live on a higher plane of love.

Yes, being up there on that higher plane can be difficult. It often allows others to take advantage of us, to hurt us. However, is that any different than the world's treatment of God himself? Is God not taken advantage of on a daily basis? However, He has never allowed that to alter his character and he calls us to live the same way. We cannot allow the treatment we receive from others to alter our character, alter who we have become through the Holy Spirit. We must remain steadfast in His love and portray that love to the world, all of the world, in return.

Love expands itself. It gives the ultimate and in it's giving it disarms the enemy. Love even loves its enemies and in compassion prays for those who persecute it. Love cannot restrain its affection - not if it is God's love. Love lives on a higher plane.

Whenever you turn the other cheek, or give away your coat, or walk an extra mile, or give to the one who wants to borrow, you must remember that you are doing it out of love. Love does not demand its rights or ask for its just reward. Love is the true intent of our Lord's words.

Prayer:
"My human nature rebels against the thought of allowing someone to take advantage of me. Help me to remember, Father, that You are molding me into the image of Your Son, who humbled Himself in obedience, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). I pray that my life, my words, my responses, my relationships, will be controlled by the love of Christ expressed through me. Help me to walk in meekness, offering mercy and grace rather than demanding justice. In Jesus name we pray, Amen"