"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Luke 6:37-38
I like this idea that if we can be kind and good to others, that we will receive kindness and goodness in return. If we refrain from judging and condemning, then we will be blessed with the same kindness. If we forgive, we will be forgiven. ... And in the first verse it seems equal, matching us action for action, but in the last verse we see that it isn't anything like equal, to our benefit. Because even though it is the same measure, it will be compressed and running over... God returns more to us than we could ever give to anyone.
Today, let's see if we can do kind things, or extricate ourselves from bad judgements if we already have done them. Let's refrain from judging and condemning others. Let's forgive people who have wronged us. And if we can do those things, and clear our relationships of resentments and baggage, then let's start giving and blessing the lives of others all that we can. As needed, let's make up for some of the hurt we've caused, and let's make a positive difference where a difference needs to be made. Even when it will only bring a smile and not right an injustice, let's take the time to bless and cheer the people around us. And let's do it, not just because it is worth it to see the smiles, or even that God will repay us with blessings and happiness, although all of that is of course cool. Let's do it because it will make *God* happy, and make the world a better place for all of us together.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Luke 6:37-38
I like this idea that if we can be kind and good to others, that we will receive kindness and goodness in return. If we refrain from judging and condemning, then we will be blessed with the same kindness. If we forgive, we will be forgiven. ... And in the first verse it seems equal, matching us action for action, but in the last verse we see that it isn't anything like equal, to our benefit. Because even though it is the same measure, it will be compressed and running over... God returns more to us than we could ever give to anyone.
Today, let's see if we can do kind things, or extricate ourselves from bad judgements if we already have done them. Let's refrain from judging and condemning others. Let's forgive people who have wronged us. And if we can do those things, and clear our relationships of resentments and baggage, then let's start giving and blessing the lives of others all that we can. As needed, let's make up for some of the hurt we've caused, and let's make a positive difference where a difference needs to be made. Even when it will only bring a smile and not right an injustice, let's take the time to bless and cheer the people around us. And let's do it, not just because it is worth it to see the smiles, or even that God will repay us with blessings and happiness, although all of that is of course cool. Let's do it because it will make *God* happy, and make the world a better place for all of us together.
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