They Are In The Family

Scripture:
Luke 6:32-36 (NIV)

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 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. 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.

Devotional:

What do you mean God treats ungrateful and wicked people kindly?  Are you kidding me?  They don’t deserve it.  Why should they be treated the same as I am?  Why should they be treated the same as my pastor?  After all, my pastor is a man of God preaching and teaching every day, every week.  How many people does he help and is kind to?  Shouldn’t he be treated better?

Sin is the same no matter how big or small.  Any sin separates us from God.  All of us are undeserving.  All of us are wicked and evil because of the inherited sin we live with.  So it is a good thing that God loves the undeserving and the wicked.  How awesome is it that God is merciful and treats us better than we deserve.  Just remember that God loves your enemies just as much as He loves you.  He is with them just as He is with you.  God wants salvation for them just as much as He wants it for you.  There is a saying that says “you can choose your friends but not your family.”  Anyone who accepts Christ as their savior is a part of our family.  No matter how much we dislike them, or may call them enemies.  They are in the family too.  It is hard to stay angry or upset with someone whom you treat with kindness and offer up prayers for.  I am not saying you have to become best friends.  You do need look upon them as Christ does.  It just might change your thoughts and feelings a little…