Instruction in Righteousness.—Luke 6:27-49

Notes

1. Because the precepts of Christ are so little practiced, it is common to assume that they cannot be. The attempts to "explain" the words of Jesus, recorded in Luke 6:27-31, especially verse 29, so as to show that they mean something different from what they actually say, are simply attempts to accommodate them to common usage. It is very frequently said, "Nobody follows those instructions." It is not safe to make such general assertions, simply because we may not know of people who follow them. But even if there were none who followed Christ's teachings, that would not affect them any. He did it, "leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps; . . . who when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:21-23. See also verses 19, 20. If Christ's example in committing himself to God were followed, it would not be so difficult to see how his example in leading a peaceful life can be followed.

2. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:45. This is the character of the Father. Therefore all who are children of God have the same characteristics. They love not simply those who love them, but all men, even their enemies. Christ prayed for his murderers. Luke 23:34. That was a manifestation of divine love. Only those in whom the Spirit of God dwells, are capable of such unselfish love. It is not in human nature.

3. Another thing that will characterize the children of the Highest is that they will lend to those from whom they can hope to receive nothing in return. That is the way that God gives. The great gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:17) is bestowed upon those who have nothing to give in return (Rom. 11:35, 36). Paganism teaches that "God helps those who help themselves." Christianity teaches that God helps those who cannot help themselves. "For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

4. "Judge not, that ye be not judged." The apostle Paul tells us that whosoever judges another, thereby shows himself to be guilty. Rom. 2:1. James says: "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11, 12. "For the Lord is our Judge; the Lord is our Lawgiver; the Lord is our King; he will save us." Isa. 33:22. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own Master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand." Rom. 14:4. "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. . . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more." Rom. 14:10-13.

5. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Out of the heart are the issues of life. Prov. 4:23. From this we learn that it is useless to try to do good in order to be good, but that a man does good only because he is already good. From an evil heart only evil can come. Whoever says that he means to do better than he is doing, thereby acknowledges that he is not now good. Now since only evil can come from evil, how is the man going to do the good that he resolves to do? He has nothing but evil out of which to manufacture his proposed good deeds; but good cannot come from evil. For a man, therefore, to attempt to make himself better, is really to do evil that good may come. He who, acknowledging himself to be evil, claims that he himself can do that which is good, if he only exerts all the power that is in him, virtually takes the position that there is really no such thing as evil, but that what is called evil is only undeveloped good. "Is it impossible, then, for an evil man to become good?"—Yes, by his own efforts; but the things that are impossible with man are possible with God. Let the man submit himself to God, to be made a new man, and then all things will be of God. See 2 Cor. 5:17, 18. He must first be made good by the Lord, and then he will do that which is good. His righteousness will then be fruit that naturally springs from the Spirit of God that dwells in him. Gal. 5:21-23.