Every day pray that everyone you know will either become a Christian or influence others to become a Christian, and please share this online book with others - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
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For Wednesday evening services, the Lord has lead me to do a Bible study for practical Bible verses in Luke. Please come back to these Bible lessons in order to review them and learn them. Whenever we have learned the meaning of Bible verses and think about them throughout each day, we will be in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Not only that, but when we are in a situation in our daily lives and are tempted to sin, we can think back to what we have learned from the Bible and say to ourselves, "The Bible says to not do what I am tempted to say, think, do, and/or desire right now, so I am going to refuse to give in to this temptation." This is what Romans 12:2 means, and it says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This is also the pattern that Jesus used when the devil tempted Him to sin in Matthew 4:1-11.
Chapter 6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE
Luke 6:27-36
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (When someone hates you and treats you badly, you should love them (If you meet your enemy and they have a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or financial need (If it’s an expensive need, ask the church that you support or have supported financially with your offerings or other donations to help with the costs. The apostle Paul took up collections for expensive needs.), you should take care of those needs instead of your needs. Also, you should be willing to die in order to help and/or protect them from harm.), ask God to bless them while they are screaming and cursing at you, look for ways to do nice things for them, and pray for people who take advantage of you and verbally or physically abuse you because you are trying to do good things for the Lord and live a pure life like Jesus lived. Those who aren’t saved probably would not treat people who hate them and do wrong to them this way. This is a possible test that will help you to have assurance of your salvation (Luke 6:27-35; Matthew 5:44-45).) 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (This is an important summary of how to treat others. Nobody wants someone looking at them mean and rude, arguing with them, making fun of them, trying to make them feel bad, talking bad about them, thinking bad about them, lying to them, stealing from them, and intimidating them. Therefore, you shouldn't treat others these ways. Also, for example, if you were a professional football player, coach, or referee, you wouldn't want someone (who is watching you on TV) to criticize or make fun of you and think bad thoughts about you. Instead of these negative things, you would want people to say, think, and do the exact opposite to you.) 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again (Don't expect for them to return what you let them borrow.); and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
The purpose of these verses is to show that Christians shouldn't retaliate and seek revenge on anybody. These verses do not mean that you should let your enemies hit you, molest you, force you to become their slave, rob you, or vandalize your possessions without going to the police for help, because those things are against the law (Romans 13:1-5). Also, your enemy could demand that you give them all your money, your house, and your clothes so you will be naked (Public nudity is against the law.), but clearly there would be no logical reason to do those things. Jesus gave extreme examples like these to make the point that no matter how horrible your enemies treat you, you should not turn around and treat them in a negative way. They could verbally abuse and say horrible things about you to others, but that would be a perfect opportunity for you to please God by obeying the Bible and try to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ (your hero and the One who died so you can live in heaven for eternity) by being happy and thankful to God when your enemy or anyone else is rude and mistreats you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). The devil wants you to get angry and think bad thoughts about the people who are rude to you, but that would be an opportunity to defeat him and glorify God. Also, you will have one way to gain assurance of your salvation if you live the way Luke 6:27-36 explains, and since these people are giving you these opportunities, you can develop a major love for them. God is using these people to make you stronger. Instead of labeling them enemies, you can recognize them as people who are giving you one way to have assurance of your salvation. Believe me, a big weight was lifted off my shoulders when the Lord helped me realize this! So, these are huge reasons to be glad when others mistreat you and you face trials (James 1:2-4).
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you haven't been living the way this message has explained, please follow chapter 10 of this website - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
If you have not prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, please follow chapter 41 of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you are not sure you are really a Christian (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:18-22, 1 John 5:14, and Hebrews 11:1), please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven