But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31
“The Christian ethic is positive. It does not consist in not doing things but in doing them. Jesus gave us the Golden Rule which bids us to do to others as we would have them do to us. That rule exists in many writers of many creeds in its negative form… It is not unduly difficult to keep yourself from such action; but it is a very different thing to go out of your way to do to others what you would want them to do to you. The very essence of Christian conduct is that it consists, not in refraining from bad things, but in actively doing good things.”
William Barclay in The Gospel of Luke (TDSBS; Philadelphia; Westminster Press, 1975) 79.
I am safely in Guatemala and brought this commentary with me for personal study.
Notice the positive nature of the powerful teachings of Jesus. We don’t experience transformation unless we actively do the good things He instructs us to do. We figure it out as we live it out.
This morning on zoom I have the GTP quarterly board meeting. Then, after that, I will collaborate with GTP board member, Karen Gudiel to facilitate “Stations of Generosity” for a group of Christian workers from many ministries.
Our aim is precisely the point of today’s post. We want to empower them with a replicable training that inspires people to actively do good things when everyone else in their culture is focused on not doing bad things.
Pray for much fruit. And go forth in your day and actively do something good for God’s glory.