PASSAGE: "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:35-36).
QUESTION: I understand the "love your enemies" part. It seems to be a recurring Biblical theme (turn the other cheek, etc.). However, a longtime thoughtful, generous friend recently did a 180 by disposing of ALL my earthly goods during my four-month hospital stay due to multiple fractures—nothing remotely life-threatening. I came home to a BARE house. Having been disabled for 10 years, I was selling off inherited antiques/other valuables in order to support myself. A professional pianist for 40 years, my piano and lifetime collection of music are gone. He even sold my car. I cannot afford to replace anything, even socks. I have received no explanation or apology, other than, "You didn't need your stuff while you were in the hospital."(???) What does "for he is kind unto the … evil" mean? How can God be "kind" to such a person who shows neither contrition nor regret? I understand forgiveness, but for 1 and 1/2 yrs he says, "I did what was best for you."(?) No offers to reimburse me.
COMMENT: I am truly sorry for your loss. Jesus is talking here of how to live from our innate Christ consciousness—from a full realization of our Oneness with the Light and Love of God. He is not asking us to become victims—just the opposite. He is calling us to know and express our true power, which is a Power of love and abundance. He is asking us to trust spiritual law rather than the limited, tit-for-tat specifics of mortal laws. Now, one essential spiritual law is that “Choices have consequences.” It is certainly possible to lovingly hold your friend accountable for the choices he has made—and to use the court system as a means of doing that. But it must be done lovingly, without blame or resentment. The Most High is, indeed, "kind to the ungrateful and the wicked." But God also—and lovingly—holds them accountable for their ungrateful and wicked choices. He just doesn't do it in anger, judgment or any sense of victimization. It's like a parent who loves his /her child unconditionally, but doesn't hesitate to hold the child responsible for the consequences of negative choices. How else is the child to learn and grow?
Blessings!
Rev. Ed
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Interpret This with Rev. Ed
Have you ever wondered how a specific Bible verse might be interpreted metaphysically? Interpret This provides greater insight into the hidden meanings of the Bible.
To Request Scripture Interpretation:
1. Review the previous interpretations below for previous interpretations.
2. Please provide a specific chapter and verse(s). If chosen for interpretation, our Bible expert, Rev. Ed Townley, will provide his insight and the response will post on this site. Requests for entire books of the Bible are not possible.
3. Click the link below to complete the online request form. References are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.
Request a Bible verse interpretation.
4. Check back often to see if your request has posted and to read what others have requested.
To Request Scripture Interpretation:
1. Review the previous interpretations below for previous interpretations.
2. Please provide a specific chapter and verse(s). If chosen for interpretation, our Bible expert, Rev. Ed Townley, will provide his insight and the response will post on this site. Requests for entire books of the Bible are not possible.
3. Click the link below to complete the online request form. References are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.
Request a Bible verse interpretation.
4. Check back often to see if your request has posted and to read what others have requested.
Mar
15
09:15 AM
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Posted By Rev. Ed Townley
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About the Blogger
Rev. Ed Townley was licensed and ordained as a Unity minister in 1991. He has served as senior minister in Beaverton OR , Chicago IL and Dallas TX. Author of The Secret According to Jesus, a metaphysical exploration of the Sermon on the Mount.
Rev. Ed is known as one of the top Bible teachers in the Unity movement.
In 1992 he founded Spirit Expressing, a non church ministry dedicated to the creative process. The Spirit Expressing ministry sponsors Higher Ground, a weekly Dallas group that explores spiritual principles through the challenges and adventures of life. Weekly talks and other materials are at www.spiritexpressing.org.
Rev. Ed is known as one of the top Bible teachers in the Unity movement.
In 1992 he founded Spirit Expressing, a non church ministry dedicated to the creative process. The Spirit Expressing ministry sponsors Higher Ground, a weekly Dallas group that explores spiritual principles through the challenges and adventures of life. Weekly talks and other materials are at www.spiritexpressing.org.
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