What’s Good for the Soul
Carlos J. Craig
A few days ago, I came across this passage in Luke 6:32-36 NKJV, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."
You gotta love those words. There are some sentiments of gratitude that are common even to the worst of men. There can be respect and regard even among sworn enemies. In this passage, our Lord tells us that if we do good only to those who have done good to us, we really haven’t accomplished anything. That would be expected. But, to do good to someone who has no intention of loving, liking or even treating us humanely, now that would be a divine attribute.
When we speak of “paying it forward,” it signifies doing something good for someone from whom you expect no return or benefit. Jesus says that even men who have no regard for God or the principles of the heavenly kingdom occasionally do the right thing under the pretense of a return on their investment. But, when the Christian does righteousness with no conceivable benefit in sight, he or she demonstrates the traits of heaven.
Our Lord even mentions the concept of “lending” here in the text. Lending indicates money or materials. When one lends with interest attached, Christ says, what merit is there in that? You are gaining and prospering from your act. But to bless someone who actually may detest or abhor you, that would require a spirit and attitude of spiritual fortitude and resolve.
Christ urges us to actually love our enemies as He did, desiring the good of those who have no desire to do good unto us! That’s not easy, not simple, and hardly ever convenient. But it is discipleship at its highest sense and application!
In the original Greek, we read that someone blesses or benefits another “…hoping for or expecting absolutely nothing in return…” Augustine made reference to three manners of “return.” The first, the returning of good for good. That is common and expected. The second, the returning of evil for evil. Often not expected or acceptable, but fairly common. And the third, the application of the biblical principal, the returning of good for evil. Highly uncommon and certainly unexpected in society today!
What would a world where everyone did good to others, even when others had done evil to them, look like? It would look like heaven! The heavenly attribute is called grace and favor. Receiving something undeserved. Jesus here was instructing His disciples concerning the importance of building a character and attitude fit for the kingdom of heaven. It begins by thinking of others before thinking of ourselves and by giving without measure even when there is nothing to be gained! That is the ultimate pay it forward principle!
May we live our lives by that principle, ever seeking to honor our Master, by paying it forward in love and mercy.
A condensed version of this article is featured in the Southwestern Union Record July/August 2019 issue. You can find the publication online at issuu.com/swurecord.