Day 40: Love Is The Way

Romans 11, 12, 13

Have you ever struggled with showing love?  Love is not just for those you get along with.  Love is not just for those you want to love.  True love is for all to give & receive.  I’ve lately been struggling with not being able to love and loving just those that I want to love.  As I struggle to find which way is right, I reflect on Romans 12.  Paul writes to the Romans on what love is.

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b]says the Lord. ²⁰On 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.”^{[c] 21}Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

As a sense of guilt washed over me, I couldn’t help but feel confused.  How can one hate what is evil but also live at peace with everyone?  I am hurt and confused.  I am angry and bitter.  I am upset that she hasn’t asked for forgiveness.  I pray that I may receive a clearer answer – so that I may truly be able to approach this sensitive matter in the most Christ-like fashion.

Dear Lord, I humbly ask for your forgiveness in my hate and anger.  Spitefully, I seek revenge.  You have however, instructed us to overcome evil with good.  I pray that the Words I have read and the love that I know you have shown to all (whether it was deserved or asked) will soften my anger.  I beseech your wisdom on how to handle this petty matter of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 19: Repent for Forgiveness

Day 19: Luke 15, 16, 17

The past three chapters focused on a similar topic of repentance & forgiveness.  We, as His children, are asked to repent for our sins and for our forgiveness.  Through the act of repentance, we get to practice the act of forgiveness.  They go hand in hand and by reading Luke 15, 16 and 17, you’ll understand why.  As you read the following excerpts on what Jesus says about repentance, reflect on your own actions.

⁷I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7

²¹“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Luke 15:21

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4

¹⁰So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ” Luke 17:10

Humility – it’s what we need.  It’s what takes us off of our “high horse” to realize that anything we collect in this world will not translate over to our final place in Heaven next to our Father.  This world is where you get to practice humility, forgiveness and repentance.  Have we not all had reasons to repent and be forgiven?  As you wish for forgiveness, wonder if there is a forgiveness to be bestowed to those around you.

Father, it is hard to forgive because of the hurt.  But please, open our eyes and soften our hardened hearts, so that we can truly humble ourselves to understand what forgiveness is.  If we can ask you for forgiveness, who are we to deny that to our fellow brothers and sisters.  I pray that any ill wills squatting in our hearts will diminish into nothing – truly. Let us practice the forgiveness that you shine on us daily.  I thank you for allowing me to trust in You and to develop as a true disciple in Your word. Amen