Spread the Love
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | December 26 2024 | Luke 6:27-35
KEY VERSE:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV)
MESSAGE:
Christmas day is like a marker of a full cycle of a year gone past; therefore, the next day after Christmas day, the “box-in” day, begins a new year altogether. As we step into a new year, we often think about the changes we want to make and the goals we hope to achieve. Luke 6:27 offers a powerful directive that can transform our lives and relationships: "But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." This call to love is not limited to our friends and family but extends to those who have wronged us. Starting the year with a commitment to love everyone, even our enemies, sets a foundation for profound spiritual growth and peace.
Loving our enemies is no easy task. It requires us to look beyond our hurt and pride to see others as God sees them – worthy of love and grace. When we choose to respond to hatred with kindness, we break the cycle of negativity and open the door for healing and reconciliation.
The last thing you want to end the year with and begin this new cycle with is not negative energy, for which reason you practice love. In this new beginning, let us intentionally pray for those who have hurt us and seek opportunities to show them kindness. Acts of love, even small ones, can soften hearts and transform lives, including our own.
As we embrace this challenging yet rewarding path, we reflect God's character in our actions. Luke 6:35-36 reminds us, "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." In spreading love and mercy, we become true reflections of our Heavenly Father.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Let this new beginning be marked by our dedication to spreading love, fostering forgiveness, and embodying the mercy that God has so freely given us. Let’s be intentional about spreading the Love of God.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, as I begin a new cycle of life, may I spread the gift of love to many who must come to know you through me. For your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: DO GOOD
The phrase “do good” in Luke 6:27 stems from the Greek verb agathopoieō (ἀγαθοποιέω), meaning “to perform noble deeds” or “act for the benefit of others.” Derived from agathos (good) and poieō (to do), it conveys intentional and selfless kindness aimed at positively impacting others. In classical Greek, it was associated with moral virtue and altruistic action.
In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus instructs His disciples to “do good” even to those who hate them, shifting the concept of love from passive acceptance to deliberate action. This teaching, part of His Sermon on the Plain, challenges human instincts of retaliation by advocating proactive love, such as blessing and praying for enemies. It exemplifies the kingdom ethic of countercultural, transformative grace.
Reflection: How can you reflect God’s goodness in difficult relationships? Intentional acts of kindness, forgiveness, or generosity can break cycles of animosity and serve as a beacon of God’s love. Today, let your actions embody His kingdom values and point others toward the Saviour.
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