“You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” [Matthew 5:38-45]
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise,” [Luke 10:36-37]
Ours is an increasingly skeptical world. And even when people offer to help, you can’t help but wonder, “But where’s the catch?” We have been bombarded with so many gimmicks and schemes that it’s pretty difficult to give trust away. We have shifted to an outlook that says, ‘Guilty until proven innocent.’ So, when (even) the church says, “I’m here to help…,” often people will think, “Yeah, but what’s the catch?...”
Jesus entrusts His amazing Message to us. But along with the Message, He tells us to go the “extra mile.” Why? Because we need to change our outlook. Instead of thinking of the least that we have to do to help others, He challenges us to think of the most we can do. He wants our hearts to beat our hands to the goal. He commissions us with softened hearts to embrace the hard-hearted. The Kingdom of God demands radical citizens. Mercy is critical. And the first message that the world should see when they see us is “God cares. We care. I care.”
We are inundated with technology. And the entire market hinges on the desires of people. They have put the “me” factor into everything. They have convinced many that they deserve whatever they want. And Apple has really cornered this idea by naming their technology “i.” They have iMacs, iPods, iPads, etc. The selling point is “me, myself and I.” But let’s look at things differently. The Church’s main point –backed up by a sincere and trustworthy “product”- is “iCare.”
Russell Johnson has (and will again) challenge us to move from good intentions to “Build for Eternity… Live Beyond Good Intentions.” What a relief, what a joy and what a freedom to move from “I” to “iCare!” Won’t you iCare too?
Amazed by His grace!
George