The Measure You Use

"Jesus didn’t just preach this way of life—He lived it. He loved His enemies, forgave those who crucified Him, and gave Himself completely for people who could never repay Him. That’s the measure He used, and as His followers, that’s the measure we’re called to use, too."

Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:27-38 challenges everything the world tells us about how to treat others. Instead of loving only those who love us, He calls us to love even our enemies. Instead of seeking payback, He calls us to show mercy. Instead of holding tightly to what we have, He calls us to give freely, expecting nothing in return. This isn’t just a call to be nice—it’s a call to live in a way that reflects the heart of God. The measure we use in love, forgiveness, and generosity will be the measure we receive, not as a transaction, but as a spiritual truth. When we love like Christ, we open ourselves to the fullness of His grace.

But let’s be honest—this kind of love is impossible without God’s help. Jesus never asks us to do this on our own. Through His Spirit, He transforms our hearts so that we can live beyond our natural instincts of self-preservation and fairness. John Wesley taught that true holiness is not about rule-keeping, but about a heart so filled with God’s love that it overflows into every part of life. That’s what Jesus is inviting us into—a life of radical grace, where mercy triumphs over judgment, generosity replaces selfishness, and love is given without conditions. When we choose to live this way, we are not just obeying Christ; we are becoming like Him.

So the question remains: will we live by the world’s standard, or will we follow Jesus’ example? The world tells us to love those who deserve it, but Jesus loves without limits. The world tells us to give carefully, but Jesus gave everything for us. The world tells us to seek justice for ourselves, but Jesus chose mercy. If we want to reflect Christ in our lives, we must let go of the need to keep score and instead live with open hands and open hearts. Because in the kingdom of God, the measure we use will be the measure we receive.