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It is easy for anyone to want to repay evil with evil because when we are hurt at the hands of someone else we want them to feel that same hurt that we feel, but that is not how God wishes for us to respond to an injustice that is done to us. The Lord Jesus declares in Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” It is human nature to want to retaliate, but as believers in Christ we must act as the Lord Jesus acted and treat others as we would want to be treated. That is exactly what Jesus said in Luke 6:31 “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” We can rest in the knowledge that God will be our vindicator. God will make right every wrong that we endured and in the end we will be proud that we took the higher road and our testimony of faith will reflect in Whom we have believed despite the pain that we went through. (1 John 4:7-13) (Matthew 5:43-48)
One thing we should always remember and keep in mind is that we have all fallen short at one time or another and just as we should seek forgiveness for our transgressions we should also offer forgiveness for the transgressions against us. We could never be in a self-righteous position because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. When the woman who was caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus, the Pharisees wanted to stone her to death for her sinfulness, but Jesus answered them in John 8:7
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
One by one they dropped their stones and walked away because they knew in their hearts they were sinners just the same. That is why we must forgive the offenses of others and rest in the peace of God that will rule our hearts. (Romans 3:23) (Colossians 3:12-15)
If you are struggling with unforgiveness I would encourage you wholeheartedly to let it go. Don’t lock yourself in a prison making yourself unable to move forward in life, but rather give the hurt and pain to the Lord and allow Him to heal your heart and help you to move on to greater heights where you can use your past experiences to help others get through their troubled times. The Bible declares in Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Knowing the goodness of God and the many times that He has intervened in our life we should be quick to give every hurt to the Lord and allow His divine healing to take place in our life. Be encouraged to be a living witness and testimony of love, forgiveness and peace so that your life may be an example that others would want to emulate. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) (Ephesians 4:31-32)
I hope this poem inspires and challenges your heart to let go of every hurt choosing forgiveness, rest and peace in the Lord instead.
TIMES IN OUR LIVES
There will be times in all of our lives
where we're treated very harshly and unfair.
And no matter how hard we look for the justice
we find that it just isn't there.
When we're offended and in pain, our normal response
is to retaliate and somehow repay.
For we want that person to see how it feels
to have the heartache we're feeling that day.
But as natural as it seems to want to get even
it's the opposite of what God says is true.
For He is desiring that His servants be different
and be Christ-like in all that we do.
As incredible as it sounds, He wants us to repay them
with a blessing instead of more pain.
And He will give us the power we need to be kind
and the strength we need to refrain.
We have to trust Him and fully believe Him
Knowing His ways truly are best.
We have to be encouraged knowing He saw the injustice
and let Him give us comfort and rest.
The person who offends us is not declared innocent
by the kindness we place on their head.
But God takes all the heartache retaliation would bring us
and gives us a blessing instead.
By Sheila Gosney
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Colossians 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Romans 12:14-17 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WHAT IF?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem16.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony48.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
