"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its
unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy'. I'm challenging that. I'm
telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you,
not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the
energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves,
your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best--the
sun to warm and the rain to nourish--to everyone, regardless: the good
and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you
expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those
who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does
that." (Matt 5:43-47, MSG)
I wonder, how do we react when our
bosses are nasty with us? Does this justify retaliation? Or just maybe
we need to consider showing ourselves as true believers of the Most
High. Wouldn't it be more conducive to pray for them instead of
cursing them? Wouldn't it be better to accept them the way they are
instead of calling them unflattering comparisons? Love will turn the
world around, not hatred.
See what happens when we show our true
selves:
June 17, 2015 in Charleston South Carolina was a very sad
day, for this was the day nine Afro-American people were murdered in
their church, Emanuel AME. A 21 year-old white man showed up at their
Bible Study. He was fascinated by their warm welcome, but that didn't
stop him from killing these Afro-Americans.
That church had
already faced so many trials in the past. At one time it was burned and
then rebuild. Between 1834 and 1865, these worshippers had to hide when
worshipping, as Afro-American churches were outlawed. That didn't
discourage them, nor did that brutal shooting.
During the trial,
the judge allowed family members of the victims to speak. This was
unheard of. What was even more astonishing was that none of them cursed
the killer or even had any words of hatred towards him. All they could
say was: "I forgive you." Over and over, everyone said the same
thing: "I forgive you!"
The media shared their message all
over the world. People couldn't understand how they could forgive such
a heinous criminal, but these family members showed their true colors to
the world. I am certain that their love hindered more riots in the
United States.
If these families who lost their loved ones were
able to forgive, how can we justify any of our rumblings and criticisms?
Isn't it better to love at all times, even if our bosses are grumpy?
Only then will we show who we truly are.
I hope you will have a
Son-filled day.
Rob Chaffart
I Forgive! Majestic Mountain View Series, Part 21
Today's Bible Verse:
"Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an
offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you."
(Colossians 3:13, MSG)
I Forgive! Majestic Mountain View Series, Part 21
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