What Jesus Did! 'Outside Our Circle' — Luke 6:33-34

Sunday, April 9, 2023

[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others:] "And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return."
— Luke 6:33-34 NLT

Key Thought

So often we have a circle of "nice folks" or "familiar folks" with whom we associate and for whom we extend a special grace. Jesus reminds us that even sinners have that kind of circle and are nice to people who fit in their special circle of friendships. However, Jesus' disciples, those who are true children of God, open their circles to folks other than their close friends. Why? Because we are called to be redemptive, to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. [1] So our goal is not to get what we think we deserve out of social relationships, but it is to help others get to God's grace. That principle, that kind of heart, changes everything.

[1] Psalm 107:2; Acts 8:1, 4; Galatians 6:1-3.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, give me the courage to extend my kindness outside the limits of my comfort zone so that others can revel in your grace. 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?
I Need More Stuff
Article by Rubel Shelly
How much is enough for you? When do we have enough stuff and can we say no to acquiring more?

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:33-34 NLT — "And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 9, 2023

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Job 14:14
"A little stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Alone are Just' (Ps. 71:16)
"I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Barbara Rosberg:
"We all need love, but we need it most when we deserve it least — when we have sinned against someone, when we have made poor choices, when we have failed...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Immersion of Joy' (Acts 8:36-39)
"As [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?"....."

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!