How to Outdo Sinners

The Woes: Warnings for Those Finding Comfort in This Life

Jesus issues stark warnings in Luke 6:24-26 to those who find their consolation in worldly things rather than in Christ.

Luke 6:24-26
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”

When you're sad or doubt your purpose, if you turn to riches for comfort—like unwinding with wine or comfort foods that become idols—those things are more valuable to you than Christ. The warning is clear: if earthly things provide your encouragement now, you will spend eternity without comfort. Your best life now becomes your worst life forever.

Being full now means finding satisfaction in present worldly things, perhaps through serial dating or relationships, like the woman at the well seeking fulfillment outside of Christ. Such fullness is temporary, even if it lasts 80 or 100 years, and leaves you hungry in eternity—hungry for unrighteousness rather than thirsting for righteousness.

Finding enjoyment in immoral laughter, drunkenness, drugs, or ungodly entertainment means your eternity will be filled with mourning and weeping, echoing the weeping and gnashing of teeth in hell—a constant pain with no relief.

When all people speak well of you, as they did false prophets, it's a danger sign. True prophets are hated for Christ's sake. Those blessed prioritize God's kingdom and heavenly reward; those under woe seek comfort and pleasure in this life alone.

Love Your Enemies: A Radical, Supernatural Lifestyle

Jesus corrects misunderstandings, commanding a lifestyle that marks genuine believers—radically countercultural and supernatural, impossible without Christ.

Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

Love enemies personally and nationally: do good to haters, bless cursers with praise (like eulogeo, praising God), and pray for abusers' good—not harm or imprecatory prayers, but for their physical and spiritual welfare. This shocks witnesses and enemies, as Proverbs says kindness heaps coals on the head.

Luke 6:29-30
“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. And give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.”

Turn the other cheek not by endlessly offering strikes passively, but by refusing vengeance—responding with blessing, prayer, and good, leaving yourself vulnerable. Don't retaliate; your kingdom treasures make cloaks and tunics insignificant, knowing God provides.

Give to everyone who begs, without background checks or judging use. Don't demand back stolen goods, unattached to material things as the poor in spirit are blessed.

Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

This is the true Golden Rule: treat others as you desire—righteously, with spiritual good in mind, blessing cursers and praying for abusers. As you delight in the Lord, your desires align with holiness, so you do holy things to others.

Outdo Sinners: The Mark of True Salvation

Luke 6:32-34
“For if you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 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.”

Your lifestyle must exceed sinners'—that's the benefit (charis, grace), proving God's involvement and your salvation's certainty. Loving only reciprocators, doing good only to do-gooders, or lending expecting return matches unbelievers headed to hell. No credit, no grace.

Examine your life: if sinners can do what you do—like dating worldly ways—you're not blessed. Outdo them for a higher quality of life.

Luke 6:35-36
“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. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Any attempt to follow this list in your own strength fails immediately. Success comes from motivation in God's character: He is kind to the ungrateful and evil—you and me. His kindness leads to repentance; everything described mirrors God's merciful attitude toward blasphemers like us.

God gave His Son expecting nothing in return from us—His kindness draws glory and praise. If you've received God's mercy, that's your drive to show mercy, outdoing sinners through gospel power, recognizing heavenly satisfaction over worldly woes.