Christian? Prove it!

This passage comes at the end of the Luke’s sermon on the plain. The entire sermon, whether edited from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) or a completely separate event noted in Luke’s sixth chapter, highlights several points Matthew’s story made famous. Luke stresses compassion in his version, and keys to that compassion are self-awareness and lack of judgemental attitude.

I admit failure many times in the latter. Politicians and government malpractice are at the top of my list for passing raw judgment. I suspect that you may have your favourite targets, too. We say the words, “Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” In truth we must confess that we are easier on our own faults than those of others. We fail to live up to God’s expectations for compassionate living, and God sees that our fruits can be quite sour at times.

If God were to leave the situation there, we would be useless to bless this world God appointed us stewards of. Jesus took our falsehoods and idiosyncrasies to the cross and blessed us with the proof of renewing power in our daily relationships at the empty tomb.

Lord, help us to realize your mercy in our relationships with others. Amen. — SO