A New Love Ethic
Luke 6:32-36
1. The reverse of unconditional love
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. Luke 6:32-34 (ESV)
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?Matthew 5:46 (ESV)
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:17 (ESV)
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? . . . 5 who does not put out his money at interest. Psalm 15:1-5 (ESV)
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 28:8 (ESV)
2. The rewards of unconditional love
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35 (ESV)
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45 (ESV)
3. The reflection of unconditional love
36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 (ESV)
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (ESV)