Have you noticed how our attitudes and actions reflect the kind of person we are?
I want to convince you that I’m a loving, caring, kind, and generous person. But how would you know if you can’t observe my attitude and actions? Our attitude and actions reveal if we are indeed loving people.
Jesus reminds us that true virtue (righteousness) is the fruit of love (Lk. 6:27-38).
He offers a list of qualities for self-examination: We are to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us. We are not to retaliate, but we are to give generously and treat others the way we want them to treat us.
Okay, so how are you doing on a scale of 1-10 (ten being perfect)?
If we’re honest, there’s room for growth in our lives. Although we’re far from perfect, don’t underestimate the value of sowing good seeds. Listen to what Jesus teaches:
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
- Luke 6:36–38 (ESV)
Mercy produces mercy. If I sow seeds of judgment, I can expect to receive a crop of “judgment.” If I condemn others, I shouldn’t be surprised to receive condemnation. Pardon leads to pardon, and sowing generosity leads to a harvest of generosity.
If our harvest is not yielding good crops, it may be essential to examine the seeds we’re planting.
Have you inspected your crop lately?
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