What Jesus Did! 'Be Like Your Father' — Luke 6:35

Monday, April 10, 2023

[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others:] "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked."
— Luke 6:35 NLT

Key Thought

"I have my Father's eyes," Amy Grant sang years and years ago. While that may be good, our heavenly Father wants us to have his heart. With other things taught us in the New Testament, we know that we are not to enable people to be irresponsible. [1] However, most of us don't have that problem. Most humans have a tight grip on what they feel they have earned and are skeptical of sharing any of that with those who might not be grateful or might want to take advantage of them. God, however, is not only rich in goods and power; he is also rich in mercy, kindness, and grace. He asks us to be the same, and our Father even promises to help us have the power to love in this way through the Holy Spirit. [2] So let's be generous, gracious, and merciful! If we are, we'll have our Father's heart.

[1] Galatians 6:4-5; Colossians 3:23; 1 Timothy 5:8.
[2] Romans 5:5.

Today's Prayer

O God, my glorious and almighty Abba Father, make my heart generous, gracious, and merciful like yours. Use my kindness to help others know your love and find your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:35 NLT — Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

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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.

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