In Luke 6:46, Jesus ends the greatest sermon ever preached with these words, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”  The idea that Jesus shared was simple, and yet impossible to fulfill, because when it comes to loving our enemies, and praying for people who persecute us, all of us fall short.     

This was the key point of the 5^th Century prayer by Augustine the Bishop of Hippo, “Oh God, grant what thou commandest.”  Through his prayer, Augustine was making it clear that the only way that we can “do what Jesus says,” is through God’s power.  In other words, God’s commandments and teachings in the Bible are less about what he wants us to do, and more about what he wants to do in us, and through us. 

When Jesus gives us amazing truths that can revolutionise our world like loving our enemies, and forgiving those who hurt us, these are promises of what he can do in our lives when he is living in our hearts.

So if you find yourself struggling to do what Jesus says, try praying a modernised version of Augustine’s prayer, “Dear God, please give me the power, love, and strength, to live out your will for my life.”

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai