What Jesus Did! 'Beyond Our Circle of Friends' — Luke 6:32

Saturday, April 8, 2023

[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others:] "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!"
— Luke 6:32 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus has just given us the golden rule in the previous verse. [1] Now he wants to make clear that the golden rule is not just a commandment to obey with people we like and people who treat us nicely. It is a commandment to follow with all people, even our enemies! [2] Just as God loves all people, he calls on us, his children, to do the same. [3]

[1] Luke 6:31.
[2] Luke 6:27-28.
[3] 1 John 4:7-8; John 3:16.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, the true and living God of all nations, mold my heart by your Holy Spirit and fashion it into a vessel that is filled with your love for all peoples. Break down the walls of prejudice, pride, bitterness, arrogance, malice, and ethnocentrism that can produce unholy barriers to your love operating through me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

It's About Seeing Us!
Article by Rubel Shelly
Do you see and listen to these folks around you? Rubel uses a street person named Jack and his friend to remind us that each of these people have a name and need to be valued and noticed as real people.
No Strings Attached
Article by Mike Barres
Will we help others in the same way that Jesus did? Will we help those who need it simply because we follow Jesus and because they need it with no strings attached?
Love Is Not a Brick
Article by Rubel Shelly
Who would go first among the religions in showing honor to the other? Rubel Shelly talks about world religions, love, respect, honor, and violence.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:32 NLT — [Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others:] "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 8, 2023

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'When You Think You Know Better'
"Dear Friend, Frustrated! Yes, I was frustrated at this precious man in today's verses who disobeyed My direct command not to tell anyone except the....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Abraham's Faith' (Ro. 4:17-21)
"Dear Father, promise keeper, Thank you that Abraham's faith was held up for us to see. He became the father of us all because you said to him, "I..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Hebrews 4:9
"How different will be the state of the believer in heaven from what it is here! Here he is born to toil and suffer weariness, but in the land of the....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by C. H. von Bogatzy:
"The most glorious promises of God are generally fulfilled in such a wondrous manner that He steps forth to save us at a time when there is the least appearance...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!