“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 words of Jesus are from what many have called the Sermon on the Plain. Although similar to the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7, it is considerably shorter and describes the location as a “level place,” or “plain” (KJV). In both sermons, Jesus described the way that Kingdom citizens are to live in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of reciprocal response, the Kingdom citizen is to respond out of a new spiritual character reflecting God’s Spirit at work within them. Rather than responding in kind to hatred, cursing, and abuse, believers are to respond with love, goodness, blessing, and prayer. This is not mere moral instruction; it is the evidence of a transformed heart and the Spirit of God at work within us. The way of the Kingdom is countercultural—it turns the world’s values upside down.
It’s easy to love those who love us and to treat others well when they treat us well. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard—one that is impossible without His Spirit at work in us. This means when someone speaks harshly to us, we respond with kindness. When someone wrongs us, we pray for them rather than seek revenge. When faced with opposition, we continue to walk in love and grace.
This doesn’t mean ignoring injustice or becoming passive doormats, but rather choosing to act in a way that reflects Christ’s love, even when it is undeserved. When we love our enemies, do good to those who harm us, and pray for those who mistreat us, we demonstrate the power of God’s kingdom. It is in these moments that we reveal His glory and show that His Spirit is truly at work in us.
Today, ask yourself: How can I respond to difficult people in a Christlike way? Who in my life needs to experience the love of Christ through my actions?
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us by the Spirit of Christ to live according to His spiritual character. Help us to abide in Christ so that we bear spiritual fruit, even in difficult situations. When we are mistreated, empower us to respond with love, goodness, blessing, and prayer. We can do nothing without You, but with You, we can do all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.