Gung-ho for Heaven

March 13

(Luke 6:32-34 NIV) “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. {33} And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. {34} 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.”

(1 Peter 2:21-23 NIV) “… if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. {21} To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. {22} "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." {23} When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

Jesus calls us to love our enemies and do good to them. As our hearts rebel at His teaching, here’s something to ponder. Christians often say: “I’ve died to the world. All I possess is now God’s. I’ve given it all up to Jesus and can’t wait to get to Heaven.” But if we really mean that, then why do we resist Christ’s teaching? He says: “Do not harm those who try to take your possessions. Didn’t you say you gave everything to me? Don’t kill those who try to kill you. Didn’t you say you couldn’t wait to get to Heaven?” We struggle with this duality -- Jesus would likely call it hypocrisy. Maybe we haven’t really surrendered it all. Maybe we aren’t really as gung-ho for Heaven as we said. Christ’s words are challenging, confusing, and vexing. They represent the inverse logic of His Kingdom. They represent the heart of God. Can you embrace them? Will you live them out? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day