Luke 6:31 KJV
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
I think most people read this believing that if they will treat others the way they want to be treated people will treat them the same way. The context suggests something completely otherwise. The context suggests that we are to treat people the way we would like to be treated knowing that they will not treat reciprocate.
Do good to those who hate us
When one takes our goods, don't ask for them back
Lend, hoping for nothing in return
This is not a formula for an easy life. This is a pattern for living as Christ did.
And the passage makes it very plain; the reward for this manner of life is not one that we receive on this earth but one that awaits us in heaven. From time to time a person will find earthly rewards for heavenly living. When that happens we all rejoice in it. But if we were to live our entire lives finding that living in the pattern Christ left us leads only to loss on the earth still this lifestyle would be the wisest and most rewarding because it leads to the greatest rewards in glory.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
I think most people read this believing that if they will treat others the way they want to be treated people will treat them the same way. The context suggests something completely otherwise. The context suggests that we are to treat people the way we would like to be treated knowing that they will not treat reciprocate.
Do good to those who hate us
When one takes our goods, don't ask for them back
Lend, hoping for nothing in return
This is not a formula for an easy life. This is a pattern for living as Christ did.
And the passage makes it very plain; the reward for this manner of life is not one that we receive on this earth but one that awaits us in heaven. From time to time a person will find earthly rewards for heavenly living. When that happens we all rejoice in it. But if we were to live our entire lives finding that living in the pattern Christ left us leads only to loss on the earth still this lifestyle would be the wisest and most rewarding because it leads to the greatest rewards in glory.
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