Pensées sur le Verset du Jour...
Nos pires tendances veulent rembourser le mal par le mal, le dépit pour le dépit, la mesquinerie par la mesquinerie et la haine par la haine. Dieu a toujours voulu que son peuple soit l'influence rédemptrice dans son monde, sa société et ses relations. Paul a rappelé aux chrétiens de Rome de «ne pas rembourser le mal par le mal». (Rom. 12:17.) Ici, le sage de Dieu nous enseigne une vérité similaire. L'amour enlève les dents des situations difficiles, tandis que la haine ne fait qu'allumer les flammes de l'amertume et de la haine. Nous sommes appelés à être un genre différent de personnes qui quittent le monde un endroit différent. Ce n'est pas toujours facile, mais c'est toujours puissant.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatefulness with hatefulness. God has always wanted his people to be his redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships.
Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil" (Romans 12:17).
Jesus said:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44–45)
The apostle Paul also taught Christians in Rome:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21)
Love removes the teeth from difficult situations while hatefulness only stirs up bitterness and spite. God's wise Old Covenant king shares a similar truth in our verse today. We are called to be a different kind of people, a JESUShaped people who leave the world a different and better place than we found it. It isn't always easy, but Jesus' way is powerful and redemptive in a world where most people expect the worst!
Ma Prière...
Père, j'avoue que quand on me fait du tort, cela me met en colère et je suis tenté de riposter en nature. S'il te plaît, supprime le côté le plus bas de mon caractère par l'influence purificatrice et rédemptrice de ton Saint-Esprit et de l'amour que ton Esprit inspire. Au nom de Jésus, je prie. Amen.
My Prayer...
Father, I confess that when I'm wronged, I become angry and am often tempted to strike back in kind of try and get even. Please, remove the baser, self-serving side of my character through your Holy Spirit's cleansing and redeeming influence on my heart. May the love your Spirit inspires in me be seen in how I treat others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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