March 4, 2015

Matthew 5:43-48                 

Words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount

You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

Today we consider the second of the General Rules for Methodists – Do good to all people.  John Wesley’s instructions explained that Methodists were to do good to others in these ways:

• To their bodies by giving food to the hungry, clothing to those who are needy, visiting or helping the sick and those who are in prison.
• To their souls by teaching, gently correcting and encouraging others in faithful living.
• To help others in the Christian community by supporting them in their business (employing, buying, helping…)

 Throughout Scripture we find references to “do good.”

• Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.                                                      Psalm 37:3
• He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.                                    Micah 6:8
• In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.                                                                           Matthew 5:16
• But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.                   Luke 6:27-28

These words from Scripture and from John Wesley teach that we are to do good to all people – not just those who are like us – or those who like us – but specifically to those who are NOT like us – those who are in need of help (food, clothes, compassion) – and yes, to those who hate us!  

These rules are simple to read, simple enough to understand, but difficult to live out.  This is a challenging way to live each day.  We must seek what is best for others first, and what is best for ourselves second.

Memorize this Rule of Life and let it guide the way you live today… and tomorrow…

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can,

In all the ways you can, in all the places you can,

At all the times you can, to all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.