#35 Luke 6:32-36 If You Love Those

On September 5, 2021 by Amy Burgin

Joy: Episode#35 Luke 6:32-36

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing is rooted in the words of Psalm 27:4 which says, One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD forever, to gaze on his beauty and to study at his feet. This podcast is one small tool to help us do that. Each week we ponder one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading so we might be still and know God. We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke focusing on the things Jesus said and did when he walked the earth.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy begins, take the next minute to pour out your heart to God, whether it be thanksgiving, anger, peace, or frustration, . Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next few minutes.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 6:32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Again?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, “What does this say about God?”

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Take time to ask God, “Lord, what would have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

One Response

Amy:
When Roman soldiers forced Jesus to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. There, as recorded in Luke 23, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Who teaches love like this? Who has love like this?

Richard Wurmbrand, a preacher tortured and imprisoned by the Communist regime in Romania wrote in his book, Tortured for Christ, “I have seen Christians in Communist prisons with fifty pounds of chains on their feet, tortured with red-hot iron pokers, in whose throats spoonfuls of salt had been forced, being kept afterward without water, starving, whipped, suffering from cold—and praying with fervor for the Communists.” Richard goes on to explain, “This is humanly inexplicable! It is the love of Christ, which was poured out in our hearts.”

Wow. Christ alone.

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.