A Wise Person Listens

Luke 6:27-36

Verse 27 should resonate with every mother, wife, teacher, preacher, and instructor of any kind when talking to children, husbands, and people of all ages.  Jesus begins with this statement; “But I say to you who hear” and I bet your mother or dad said these words to you, “Did you hear me” and husbands, when watching a ballgame or working on a project, has your wife asked the same question?  When it comes to preachers, many of us have a filter; my friend Carroll called it a preacher filter and it works this way, preachers are suppose to tell us those things, and the filter works, for many of us have forgotten the message before leaving the building.

I’ve always liked the commercial from E.F. Hutton, it goes like this, “When E.F. Hutton speaks people listen.”  So when God’s Son Jesus Christ speaks, you know our Creator the one who made all that has been or will be do you listen?  As you answer that question it tells a lot about you, for He has not stopped speaking, Hebrews 4:12 states; “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  With that fully settled in my mind and heart and I hope in yours, shall we look at what we are told to listen to?

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”  (Luke 6:27-36 ESV)

How foolish of me to go past verse 27, it may be the first time you are willing to hear, and even if you have been hearing for 45 years like this writer, verse 27 is asking a lot.  I’ve been a follower of Christ for 45 years and the only way I’ve had any success in the area of loving my enemies was to pray for me first and then for the ones who seem to hate me.  You cannot pray in earnest for anyone and not have your heart changed.  The Spirit of God will begin to allow you insight into your enemies that will change your mind and heart.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice