Scripture Post #381: *LOVE LIKE SINNERS?*

Luke 6:32: "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them."

 

[Disclaimer: The image here (in it's original form) was from an image search-engine. The original source of this image is unbeknown to me. I own no rights of this image.]

JESUS is speaking here:

Luke 6:32: "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them."

V. 33: "And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same."

V. 34: "And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again." 

V. 35: "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

V. 36: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

This is really good! Folks think they're doin' right by GOD for loving folks that love them back. Or giving to those they know will return the favor. Do we really expect a reward from GOD when we *LOVE LIKE SINNERS?* Because sinners love those who love them—that's nothin'! Agape love is loving the dude who hurt you badly and did you dirty. Loving the girl who absolutely humiliated you! Loving those who hate you. Loving your enemies! That's charity (1st Cor. chapter 13), that's agape!

Verses 35-36 speak volumes!

V. 35: "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

V. 36: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

Verse 35 states that you'll be the children of the Highest [GOD] if you love your enemies, etcetera. Then it states, for GOD is kind to the unthankful & evil. Then V. 36 states to be merciful as your FATHER, GOD is merciful. So basically, you'll be GOD's children if you'll be like HIM. And to be like HIM is to be merciful to those who do you wrong and despise you. GOD's children look like HIM. GOD's children do as HE does. GOD's children reflect HIM. 

Love your enemies, "…And ye shall be the children of the Highest…" Sounds like a contingency to me. 

Originally Published: Sat. 9/28/13