Fairness
What we do to others determines what is done to us.
Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 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. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” - Luke 6:27–38
According to Jesus, in today's Gospel reading from Luke, God is fair.
What we give will be given back to us. How we act toward others will determine how God acts toward us. It is a simple message.
We have heard the golden rule as do onto others as you would have them do onto you, but this is a bit different. Do onto others as you would have God do onto you.
It does sound like we are being good for our own benefit, though, doesn't it? You could look at it this way, if God forgives those who are wicked as well as those who are not, why be good?
But Jesus is not saying God will forgive everyone who is wicked. Only those who repent and return to God will be forgiven.
So, our motives matter.
If we seek to benefit ourselves, our reward may not be as great as if we act out of love for our neighbors.
So, we just need to act out of love, and stop worrying about what happens to us. God will be fair.
More to come...