January 15, 2014
The modern mantra is, "don't get mad; get even". In the gun-toting region I live in, an incident of road rage a few years ago resulted in the shooting death of one of the drivers; later ruled self-defense.
Revenge is natural; returning good for evil is literally a supernatural response. And, this is the very response God's people are called to make:
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you." (Proverbs 25:21-22) This very passage is echoed in the words of Romans twelve, as we are admonished to forgo revenge in view of God's ultimate judgement and justice.
We might conclude that God's people are called to be the ultimate doormats - passive in the face of injustice, and mistreated by all who would abuse them. And, while our example is Him who "while being reviled, He did not revile in return" (1 Peter 2.23), we are called to an active response to injustice. Retaliation to specific offenses is to be replaced with the overarching lifestyle of active good: " Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12.21)
There is no greater good than to carry the life-changing gospel (Acts 8.12) to those who are enemies of God. I was recently reminded that this great soul-saving work is reflected in Jesus' Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5.9) The true peacemakers are not those who broker an end to hostilities between nations, but those who bring peace to warring people through the reconciling gospel.
The response to the great injustice so evident in today's world, is greater fervor with the gospel message. "How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' " (Isaiah 52.7) May we faithfully partner with God's Messiah, and be "lovely feet" who bring good news to all who desperately need it.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book - https://www.createspace.com/4500045
Revenge is natural; returning good for evil is literally a supernatural response. And, this is the very response God's people are called to make:
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you." (Proverbs 25:21-22) This very passage is echoed in the words of Romans twelve, as we are admonished to forgo revenge in view of God's ultimate judgement and justice.
We might conclude that God's people are called to be the ultimate doormats - passive in the face of injustice, and mistreated by all who would abuse them. And, while our example is Him who "while being reviled, He did not revile in return" (1 Peter 2.23), we are called to an active response to injustice. Retaliation to specific offenses is to be replaced with the overarching lifestyle of active good: " Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12.21)
There is no greater good than to carry the life-changing gospel (Acts 8.12) to those who are enemies of God. I was recently reminded that this great soul-saving work is reflected in Jesus' Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5.9) The true peacemakers are not those who broker an end to hostilities between nations, but those who bring peace to warring people through the reconciling gospel.
The response to the great injustice so evident in today's world, is greater fervor with the gospel message. "How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' " (Isaiah 52.7) May we faithfully partner with God's Messiah, and be "lovely feet" who bring good news to all who desperately need it.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book - https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:25 AM
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