“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” (Luke 6:27-28 ESV).
These are the words of Jesus from his Sermon on the Plain, describing the new way of living in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of reciprocal response, the Kingdom believer is to respond out of a new spiritual character reflecting God’s Spirit at work within them. God’s kingdom people are to “love, do good, bless and pray” because this is what is in them to do regardless of how others treat them. God’s people reveal His character and reflect His glory to the world by living as Kingdom people.
Jesus’ sermon is subversive to the world’s economy which says to respond in kind. Jesus says that we are to “love, do good, bless and pray” no matter how we are treated. The Kingdom way of living turns the world upside down.
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us by the Spirit of Christ to live according to our new spiritual character. Help us to abide in Christ, so that we bear spiritual fruit. We can do nothing without You. But with You, we can do all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.