Episode 811
Exploring Radical Love: Resistance Through Luke 6:27-38 | Ep 811
Radical love serves as a profound form of resistance, as articulated in our exploration of Luke 6:27-38. We delve into the imperative to love one's enemies, which transcends mere tolerance and embodies a transformative approach to conflict and animosity. This episode emphasizes how such love is not a passive acceptance of wrongdoing, but rather an active refusal to perpetuate cycles of violence and hatred. Furthermore, we examine the intricate relationship between spiritual practices and economic justice, highlighting Jesus’ teachings on generosity and accountability. As we reflect on these concepts, we are encouraged to identify and act toward those with whom we disagree, fostering humanity and dignity in our interactions.
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Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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The discourse surrounding Luke 6:27-38 encapsulates the profound notion of radical love as an act of resistance against prevailing paradigms of hatred and animosity. Within this passage, the exhortation to 'love your enemies' emerges as not merely a call to passive acceptance but rather as an active engagement that subverts cycles of violence and retribution. This radical love compels us to transcend our instinctual responses to hostility, prompting a reflection on how our actions can foster transformation in a world often characterized by divisiveness. By choosing love in the face of enmity, we embody a resistance that seeks to dismantle entrenched systems of oppression and hatred, thereby paving the way for a more humane existence.
Moreover, the discussion delves into the nexus between spiritual practice and economic justice, wherein Jesus's teachings challenge us to rethink our economic behaviors. The invitation to lend without expectation and to give generously critiques a capitalist framework that incessantly seeks returns on investment. This reflection resonates deeply in contemporary contexts where issues such as debt forgiveness and living wages emerge as critical conversations. It beckons us to align our spiritual values with our economic actions, advocating for a society that prioritizes the well-being of all over mere financial gain.
Finally, the episode urges a reconsideration of judgment and accountability within our interactions. The admonition against condemnation speaks to a broader cultural tendency to rush to judgment, often reflecting our own insecurities rather than the failings of others. True justice, as posited in this discourse, is restorative rather than retributive, inviting us to engage with others in a manner that fosters dignity and understanding. As we navigate our relationships, the call to embody radical love serves as a guiding principle, challenging us to inhabit a space of generosity and kindness even amidst conflict.
In this segment, we actively explore an actionable step that encourages listeners to identify an individual with whom they hold opposing views or who has caused them harm. We implore our audience to extend a gesture of humanity towards this person, thereby embodying the radical love that Jesus advocates. This exercise not only reinforces our commitment to love but also serves as a practical manifestation of our spiritual beliefs, reinforcing the idea that our actions can indeed lead to a more compassionate and just world.
Takeaways:
- Radical love is a transformative force that challenges conventional responses to enmity and hatred.
- The teachings of Jesus compel us to act with generosity, even towards those who oppose us.
- Economic justice is intricately linked to spiritual practices, emphasizing the importance of selfless giving.
- Rushing to judgment often reveals more about our own shortcomings than the faults of others.
- Practicing love in the face of adversity fosters personal integrity and promotes a more just society.
- Our liberation is interconnected with those we find difficult to love, urging us to embrace radical generosity.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Radical Love as Resistance A study of Luke 6:27 38 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller and hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is our daily reading of the Bible.
Speaker A:We read the New Testament.
Speaker A:We read the Message version which makes it understandable for you to listen to.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving you some points to ponder, to think about applicable give you an action step.
Speaker A:We do all of that and we have a prayer in under nine minutes.
Speaker A:We are brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of of the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:We are in Year C of the three year cycle.
Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary and today is the seventh Sunday after the epiphany season.
Speaker A:Here we're reading today from the message Luke 6:27 38 to you who are ready for the truth, I say this Love your enemies.
Speaker A:Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
Speaker A:When someone gives you a hard time, respond with a supple moves of prayer for that person.
Speaker A:If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it.
Speaker A:If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it.
Speaker A:If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.
Speaker A:No more payback.
Speaker A:Live generously.
Speaker A:Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior.
Speaker A:Ask yourself what you want people to do for you.
Speaker A:Then grab the initiative and do it for them.
Speaker A:If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back?
Speaker A:Run of the mill centers do that.
Speaker A:If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal?
Speaker A:Garden variety centers do that.
Speaker A:If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity?
Speaker A:The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
Speaker A:I tell you, love your enemies, help and give without expecting a return.
Speaker A:You'll never, I promise, regret it.
Speaker A:Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives toward you, generously and graciously even when we're at our worst.
Speaker A:Our Father is kind and so you be kind.
Speaker A:Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults.
Speaker A:Unless of course you want the same treatment.
Speaker A:Don't condemn those who are down.
Speaker A:That hardness can boomerang.
Speaker A:Be easy on people.
Speaker A:You'll find life a lot easier.
Speaker A:Give away your life.
Speaker A:You'll find your life given back.
Speaker A:But not merely given back.
Speaker A:Given back with bonus and blessing.
Speaker A:Giving not getting is the way generosity begets generosity.
Speaker A:Wow, wonderful reading from the day's from today's lectionary message.
Speaker A:It's a reading here where Jesus challenges really are a conventional understanding of what is love and justice and human relationships.
Speaker A:Let's take a look at a few points to ponder here.
Speaker A:The first point is about a radical love as resistance.
Speaker A:Jesus gives us this command, love your enemies.
Speaker A:This isn't just about being passive or accepting abuse.
Speaker A:Rather, it's a radical form of resistance that refuses to let hatred define our response.
Speaker A:When we choose love in the face of an enemy, we bring cycles of violence and retribution.
Speaker A:This isn't about maintaining the status quo, it's about transforming it through unexpected acts of humanity.
Speaker A:Another point to think about is economic justice and generosity.
Speaker A:I want you to notice here how Jesus connects spiritual practice with economic behavior.
Speaker A:When he talks about lending without expecting return and giving away coats, he is critiquing a system of economic exploitation, which in our modern context might look like supporting debt forgiveness, advocating for living wages, or questioning capitalism's demand for constant return on investment.
Speaker A:One more point to ponder this is the politics of non judgment.
Speaker A:Jesus warning against criticism and condemnation feels particularly relevant in our culture that we're in right now.
Speaker A:While accountability matters, Jesus suggests that rushing to judgment often says more about our own insecurities and privilege than about others failings.
Speaker A:True justice works toward restoration, not retribution.
Speaker A:Here's your action step for today.
Speaker A:I want you to identify one enemy that is someone you have some sort of opposing view about, maybe politically or something else, or maybe someone who's hurt you and take a concrete step or some action to demonstrate some form of humanity toward them.
Speaker A:This might mean amplifying their work, giving them credit when it aligns with you, or defending them when others speak ill of them, or simply sending a message of acknowledging of them as a human being.
Speaker A:Give them dignity.
Speaker A:Remember, this isn't about excusing human behavior, but it's about maintaining our own integrity and vision of a more just world.
Speaker A:We're going to pray in just a minute here to close our time together, but I did want to remind you that we are here for you every day.
Speaker A:But also every day you need to be into the scriptures of your own accord.
Speaker A:We provide a resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It's right there at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com it makes Bible study as easy as ABC and 1, 2, 3 and you can find out about that at voiceofgoddaily.com along with our back catalog of over 800 episodes of the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Let's pray God, you are divine Love.
Speaker A:We live in a world that teaches us to guard our hearts, to keep score and to view generosity as a weakness.
Speaker A:Help us to remember that our liberation is bound together even with those we struggle to love.
Speaker A:Give us courage to practice radical generosity, wisdom to critique systems without dehumanizing people, and strength to keep choosing love when hate seems easier.
Speaker A:May we be instruments of the justice that heals and the kindness that transforms.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it's always a joy to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We're here every day.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am Eastern Time and we hope that you'll join us again tomorrow and bring a friend this time.
Speaker A:Until then, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be with you tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
