Teaching about Love. Luke 6:27-36 As our Lord Jesus Christ was teaching His disciples, He clearly explained the implications of discipleship. His teaching involved how to treat people, maintain a close relationship with God, and what to do when people think we are out of touch with reality. To love enemies, forgive those who sin against us, and be kind to those who hate us seems impossible to those who do not know the Lord personally. He taught that we are to love others as He loved us. We are to give and forgive. He intends us to be trusted, be real, think ahead, put our faith in Him, and obey His word.
In contrast to what the natural man does, Jesus taught us to do good and save lives, including our own. To “bless” means a certain attitude of heart that deliberately has good intentions toward others no matter who they are. We are to serve God by channeling blessing to others by demonstrating God’s grace and goodwill toward our enemies. If we intend to bless others, we will give for their benefit because of a radical love that values every person no matter who they are. We will give not just material but also spiritual wealth that lasts forever.
Giving from “the good treasure of his heart” indicates that goodness and giving are related because they are both the results of grace. Order, purity, and decency are characteristics of God in contrast to disorder, discord, and disobedience, which are characteristics of the devil. To love, bless, and give for the benefit of others requires mercy on the part of the giver. Mercy allows love to bless and give what is needed to demonstrate that God is working through His children. In His great mercy, God’s love has blessed us and given us what lost sinners need most – salvation from the coming judgment. What our Lord Jesus Christ did for us is the ultimate measure of God’s mercy, grace, and giving to save His enemies whom He loved.
An unworthy servant tries to help others when he or she needs to help themselves. Unless one is building on God’s word and applying His truth, that person is building on sand. The servant who truly blesses others gives mercy from the good treasure of his heart. Examples of love come from the Lord and His word. Love for God and love for neighbors seems normal and natural for believers. Love for enemies at first thought seems impossible until we experience God’s love in us is the way that loving enemies can be real. Fulfilling the law and being good examples of Christ’s teaching are also ways we can show love to others. We can tell people of God’s love, and we can show people God loves them through what we do.
In the positive sense, Christian love means doing good to those who hate us. Jesus Himself gave the radical instruction to love those who oppose and oppress us. We do that by an act of our own will. We don’t “fall into” this kind of love. This is a choice we have to make. This kind of love takes a conscious effort to act in the best interests of others, whether they like us or not. We can pray for them and look for ways to help them without looking for or expecting any response from them.
In the negative sense, Christian love means we choose not to hold a grudge or retaliate against those who have wronged us. If they have ignored us or treated us unfairly by false accusation or action, we still are to allow the love of Christ to constrain us to do what is right and best for them. We need to take seriously the words of the Lord Jesus.
Love for Christ and others doesn’t mean we overlook evil. It doesn’t mean we are forbidden to oppose evil, but it does mean our behavior and attitude, even when standing up for righteousness and opposing evil, demonstrate the love of Christ. In that way, we will be Christ-like as sons and daughters of the Most High should be. Verse thirty-one is a practical and dependable way to govern our behavior.