What an awesome weekend? Saturday we went to Pep's Point with 40+ people from the church and had a BLAST! Then yesterday we had a GREAT day in the Lord at Community. My brother-in-law allowed God to use him tremendously through his message about just how great God is and what He commands of us. I'm a little sad to have to come back to work today after such a great weekend but we can have a GREAT week in the Lord as well.
As I studied God's word this morning, He led me to something else he commands of us. In Romans 12:17-21 the bible says, "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 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.
Hmmm... as humans when we read this we more than likely want to mumble under our breath, "ugh do I really have to?" Yes we do, God commands us to. There are lots of verses in the bible that say we should love our enemies. I think one of the reasons God commands us of this is, If we are supposed to tell everyone about Him how can we do that if we aren't telling our enemies as well. In verse 19 it basically says, If your enemy has done something to hurt them let God seek vengeance on them. Let our Heavenly Father discipline the person that has done wrong with you. Isn't it only causing more pain and agony for you to do something about it? God is giving us a way out here by saying He will repay!
Growing up if I had a problem with someone my mom always told me to "Kill them with kindness." I think in a funny way God is saying that in verse 20 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. He says if you give all these things to your enemy, he (the enemy) will heap coals of fire on his head. When I read that I pictured a little cartoon character with smoke and flames coming out of his head..haha. You know what's neat though? By doing these things we are asked of, we are showing them Jesus. Jesus didn't get mad and call names or talk bad about the people that hung Him on the cross. He was an innocent man being crucified basically because someone didn't like Him but yet as He was suffering, He was still thinking of someone else and asked the Father to please forgive them, for they know not what they do. WOW how amazing is that? I will NEVER be able to understand just how AMAZING that is.
The last verse in this chapter says "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." I believe God wants us to love our enemies because if our focus is on getting back at someone that hurt us then our focus isn't on God. As Christians we are to guard our minds against this! Our focus should be truly and completely on God and telling others about Him, even our enemies.
Good Morning Heather. I was reading in Matthew this morning about when Christ was talking about the sheep and the goats. Those on his right hand were the sheep and those on his left hand were goats. He commended the sheep and told them that when he was hungry, they fed him. When he was naked they clothes him. When he was thirsty they gave him a drink. ETC...but the ones on the left hand did none of these things.
ReplyDeleteThey asked, "When did we do these things?" He replied that when they did it unto the LEAST OF THESE they did unto HIM.
So if we are angry at someone then we are angry at HIM. I think you can apply it in this sense as well. Something to think about.
Have a blessed week and hope to see you tonight.
Karen