A Call To Love
Devotional
How do you know that you love God? Because you love people. And how do you love those around you? By showing mercy to others regardless of political ideology, gender identity, race or ethnicity; regardless of differing opinions or beliefs. To love God is to love people despite your differences, to be merciful even to those who may hate you for the way that you love them. Jesus calls us to a world-changing standard of compassion for the broken and hurting people of this earth, because while we were still enemies, Christ died for us. Instead of passing judgment onto one another, let us become Christians known by our love because Jesus first loved us.
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
LUKE 10:25-32
Questions:
- HIn what way(s), if any, are you like the expert in this passage?ow can we recognize the kingdom of God in our midst today?
- What about Jesus’ reply surprised you the most? If anything.
- What natural standard(s) do you have for loving people?
- When is it hardest for you to love people?
- Who do you need to love like a “neighbor?”
Practice The Way of Jesus:
This week, read and meditate on Luke 6:27-36. Pray and consider how you can better show love and mercy to your enemies.