Be Merciful, Just As Your Father Is Merciful!

Luke 6:32-36 New International Version

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Friday - February 25

Have you ever heard the phrase “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”? Most of us know that this is another way of saying “quid pro quo.” If you help me out then I will help you out. It is the way that much of the world works. If you work for someone then the general idea is that they will pay you for work that they want done. The relationship is transactional. However, that is the exact opposite of how God’s kingdom works. God forgives His enemies. He declares mercy and peace to those who have rejected, abandoned and even killed him (Acts 2:22-24). God blesses without demanding anything in return. We know this is true because that is exactly what Jesus did for us!