Jesus takes aim at our obsession to get what we think we deserve, and to give others what we think they deserve. Instead of operating our lives on“fairness,” Jesus asks us to operate on love. But how do we do that when our default mode is to live for ourselves and not for others? The gospel opens to door to a grace that leaves us eternally secure and reshaped to love others not based on what they have earned. Christian culture is about love and mercy, not keeping score.
Application Questions
1. What are some times you feel like others aren't giving you what you deserve? How do you typically respond in those situations?
2. Try to think of some friends and some enemies (those who make you angry or treat you unfairly). How do you treat them differently? Why?
3. In what ways do you see yourself living“for you” instead of“for others” ?
4. What about Jesus'death for you allows you to live for others? What would that look like in some of the situations above?
5. Be as honest as you can: what holds you back from living this way? What resources do you have in Jesus to make this a reality in your life?
