3 feet to that extra mile

Luke 6:27-38

          When I had attained the age of reason, someone pointed out something to me that (obviously) stuck because that was probably 35 years ago. That is, when you get to those pearly gates and you utter some justification like "I never cheated on my spouse", don't expect any credit. This person said, and rightfully so, we don't get credit for doing things we are already supposed to do. 

          It's not a matter of "what have you done for me lately"? It's just that we are called to go beyond our comfort zone and go that extra mile.  We are especially called to go that extra mile with people we really would prefer not to walk 3 feet with. Worse, we are called to do so with a truly genuine heart. Our faces are not supposed to look as if we're swallowing Castor oil. 

          How does one feel that way in a true way? How are we converted to have that open, generous, loving heart?  How about getting in touch with the thankful heart within us? If we realize what we have,  it would take us a long way on the path to thankfulness, appreciation and towards a genuinely open heart. Count your blessings sounds trite but it is true. In addition we need to realize that what we are given is not given by the rules of this world, the world of you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.  What we have is given totally freely. God loves us with reckless abandon. God loves us beyond comprehension even when we turn our backs on him. God sees the beauty in us all. This passage calls us to do the same even though it is not by the rules we may have created for ourselves as humans.

          Now we need to go out and love the ones we are least likely to embrace.  We are asked to love by God's rules.

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’