A few days ago, I had a chance to do something good for someone who hurt me very badly in the past. I actually had to sacrifice something of my own for their benefit.
I must confess; it felt very good!
I remembered Jesus's words:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48
It is so very difficult to love those who hurt us or others... But God does, and he teaches us to do the same.
Let us try to follow his example, as hard as it may be, so we can please him. Can you imagine how painful it must be for Jesus to see all the corruption and evil in our society, when all he really wants is for us to be with him forever?
At least for us, who know and love him; let us try to minimize the pain we cause him... Can we try to do that?
Stay blessed, and stay tuned,
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