Thirteen Ways to Distinguish Ourselves from Sinners

Today's Reading:

• Luke 6:12 - 38
• Psalm 67:1 - 7

Read Bible Passages Online

Luke 6:12 - 38 

32  If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?  Even sinners love those who love them.

33  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit?  Even sinners do that much!

34  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.

 Jesus is telling us that even those who are unsaved can do good things for others.  Our job as Christians is to distinguish ourselves from sinners.  We have to do things that will make people stop and take notice of our generous, calm, and forgiving nature.  Something that makes people wonder: Wow -- how is it this person is so much different than I am?  Is becoming saved really that powerful?

Unfortunately for many Christians, the answer to that question is no.  Well, let me qualify that statement.  Becoming saved, receiving the power of Christ -- it's the most powerful experience of your life.  But those who actually buckle down and let this power permanently make over their lives are fewer and further between. 

So what sort of things are we supposed to do to distinguish ourselves from sinners?  Today's reading in Luke offers an abundance of suggestions:

1. Love your enemies (6:27)
2. Do good to those who hate you (6:27)
3. Bless those who curse you (6:28)
4. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other cheek (6:29)
5. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also (6:29)
6. Give to anyone who asks (6:30)
7. When things are taken from you, don't try to get them back (6:30)
8. Do to others as you would have them do to you (6:31)
9. Lend without expecting to be repaid (6:35)
10. Be compassionate (6:36)
11. Do not judge others (6:37)
12. Do not condemn others (6:37)
13. Give and you will receive (6:38)

Psalm 67:1 - 7
This simple, short Psalm calls for the entire world to know and praise the Lord.  And what better way for the entire world to know the Lord, than for the people of the Lord to truly distinguish themselves from amongst the sinners?

Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You

Today’s Reading:

• Matthew 6:25-7:14
  
• Psalm 8:1-9

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Matthew 6:25-7:14
This passage began with a warning not to worry about having food, money and clothes, for the Lord will provide. I have mixed feelings about this. I feel that the Lord is providing for me already – I have a good job, and this job allows me to pay my bills, buy a house, save for college and retirement. I’m thinking of the future, but using the resources God gave me to fund it.

I know people, on the other hand, who will spend every dime he or she has, often before paying the bills. Then those people will cry that “God will provide.” But isn’t He already providing them with the means to live? If I squandered all the resources I’m given to provide for myself and my family, I wouldn’t expect God to bail me out later.  Now, if I had nothing, if something happened and I became broke, I would trust God to provide. But God is already providing me, isn’t he?

The second part of the reading contains the all-important verse 7:12:

 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 

 Isn’t that a fabulous verse, I mean really? How can you expect forgiveness from your sins if you don’t forgive others for theirs? And these passages say exactly that!

 “The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (7:2).

 Now I’m awfully critical of people, and I know I need work there to avoid “judging” people. But I don’t judge people for their sins. Who am I to say what they did is right or wrong? Who are they to say the same of me? It is God’s job to judge our sins. And I do try -- truly -- to forgive those who wrong me. I know it does no good to hold a grudge. Sometimes it takes a while for me to let go, and it surely isn’t easy, but I do try my best.

My problem is I sometimes think back, and thinking about it causes angry emotions to arise. Even though I’ve long gotten over it, quit “punishing” the offending party for whatever it was, it can still cause me to be privately upset. I don’t know what to do about it. Am I truly forgiving the person then? How can I just make those emotions disappear? Do I just refuse to think about it, would that be good enough? Or must I feel peace in my heart when I think on the situation?  

Psalm 8:1-9
This psalm brings up a strong point: that we humans are but “mere mortals” (8:4), yet the Lord made us in his own image, and put us in charge of everything he created. Isn’t that an awesome, spectacular privilege?  I only hope that someday I can be worthy of the honor bestowed upon me as a human who has been put on this earth by God.