It’s An Investment

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

bless them that curse you, and pray for the which despitefully use you.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Luke 6:27, 28, 31

I’ve always found “Love your enemies” to be a noble but difficult concept when applied to every day life. On the surface, I don’t really consider people to be my enemies, but when I examine things more closely, I definitely come across some antagonists on the daily; in traffic, at work, while shopping– there are those whose actions evoke my ire or at the very least I feel prompted to respond according to what I feel they “deserve”. Sometimes I want to shoot off a smart comment, or give them a dose of their own medicine… I’m sure I’m the only one.

But being a follower of Christ, when I pray or reflect on my actions in those times when my response was unkind or negative, I feel that conviction and I know there is work to do. I’ve whined to God numerous times in those moments that people seem to want to treat you just any kind of way and it’s VERY HARD to just take it or let it go.

Today I was reading Luke’s account of The Beatitudes where Jesus begins to teach more in-depth than other accounts about how to treat your enemies– how to be consistently generous and loving despite how you are treated. He said something that really stood out to me:

But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful… give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over… For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:35-38 (excerpts)

Our responses to the actions and treatment of others really have nothing to do with them at all. Our lifestyle, including these responses, is an offering of worship to God– a part of our relationship with Him. He says in these scriptures that if we make this investment with him, we will surely see a return in the future. An investment by nature is a voluntary loss now in hopes of greater gain at a later time. I forsake what I could enjoy now, realizing that those resources can be put elsewhere and produce benefits later. It was never about being a doormat, or people violating me and getting away with it. It’s about having a sure promise from the Father that if I respond in the way He commands, He will reward me greatly on the back end! In doing so, He is glorified and the Light of Christ shines so that the Kingdom of God may advance here and now in the earth!

But all of that is God’s business.

I find it easier to focus on Him and what he asks of me, viewing my responses as a direct response to Him and his commands and promises. Unlike other investments, this is a sure thing, because God is faithful. Your investment will pay dividends through God’s favor on your life here, and the great eternal rewards awaiting you when your life here if finished. Of all the investments one can make, this is the most valuable.