I remember being posed this very intriguing question early in my walk with Jesus. “If you were convicted of the crime of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to find you guilty?”

Think about it. What about your behavior really separates you from the actions of a “good” person? Jesus puts forth a radical way of living for those who wished to follow Him: love your enemies. Jesus gave us examples of how to carry out this command in verses 27-31. In these verses He answers why!!!

[Luke 6.32-36]

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Who are “sinners” referred to in verses 32-34? Aren’t we all sinners according to Romans 3.9-18, 23? What is Jesus’ point in comparing the actions of “sinners” to what He is calling His followers to do?

+ Can you name an “enemy” that you love? Do you know anyone who can? Then why are we as Christians asked to do this impossible task?

+ Is Jesus REALLY calling us to give away all of our money in verse 35? Why or why not? [Read Matthew 19.16-22]

+ Can you think of other verses in Scripture that calls us to act like God? [Read Leviticus 19.1-18]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Love of enemies is the defining condition of sons and daughters of the Most High. If we want to act like, be like God, Jesus says we must love our enemies. Why? Because God loves His enemies!!! Michael Card, from his book ‘Luke, The Gospel of Amazement,’ says,

“If there ever was a verse that pointed to the reality of our need for regeneration, having the Holy Spirit change us from the inside out, it is this one. R.C. Sproul states “only His heart-transforming grace can make His children willing to practice such counterintuitive, self-sacrificial love for enemies.””

[Ephesians 5.1-2] 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

[Romans 5.6-8] 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners (His enemies), Christ died for us.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?