Call in the New TestamentJesus and His Calls in Ministry
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) Called as the IntercessorLuke 6:22-34
The Message22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this. Give Away Your Life24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
What you have is all you’ll ever get. 25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.
Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.
There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it. 26 “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. 27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. 31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. For ReflectionThe Christian life is not an untroubled one, free from suffering, free from pain, free from objection, free from disappointment, free from disapproval, or free from the seductions of our secular lives. Living a Christian life, however, is one of living the truth of our being -- that we have the capacity for divine love -- of ourselves, of our friends, of those we barely know, of those we trust and of those we don't, for those who support us and those who would rather see us fail, for those who see us as a pawn on a rigged game board, and for those who understand we are partners.
Such love is not naive, nor ill-advised, or weak. On the contrary, such love is powerful. Such love carries the promise of God. Such self-sacrificing love is the only path to eternal peace and reconciliation with each other and with God. PrayPray, and love as God loves. Make your priority to follow the way of Jesus and the counsel of Christ. Forward to a friend | 
