If You Do Good to Them Which Do Good to You - Luke 6:33

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus said, “Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise. For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-three of his book Luke shares how Jesus asked, “if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you?” where we read:

And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you?

for sinners also do even the same.

The verse reads, “And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you?” Luke began with the words, “and if you do good to them” or “and whether Jesus' disciples perform favors, extend benefits and are well-doers to the people whether male or female” “which do good to you” which means “who perform favors, extend benefits and are well-doers to Jesus' disciples”, “what thank have you” or “what grace, favor, delight, pleasure, sweetness and charm does Jesus' disciples own or possess”? Luke shared how Jesus asked the disciples listening to Him what “grace and favor” they obtain if they only “extend benefits and perform favors” to people who do the same to them.

The verse goes on to say, “ for sinners also do even the same.” Luke continued with the words, “for sinners” which means “because, since and on account that wicked men, people devoted to sin and vice” “also do even the same” or “even so and indeed perform favors, extend benefits and are well-doers”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the way “wicked men” “also” “do good to those who do good to them”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted His disciples to live in a way that was different than the “world” or “sinful people”. If His disciples only did “good” to people who “do good” to them, they would be mirroring the behavior of the “wicked”. God the Father desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him, they will manifest a life that is contrary to the world. Jesus followers who “do good” to people who have not done them “good” to them show the world what God is like because He does “good” to sinful people who do not yield their lives to Him. Paul the apostle wrote, “despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (See Romans 2:4) God is good to everyone, and those who are wise will submit their lives to His Son Jesus and begin to “do good” to people who have never done “good” to them.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks, “if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".