![]() ![]() Do to others as you would have them do to you" ( Luke 6:27-31 ). Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And again in the Gospel of Luke, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ( Proverbs 25:21-22 ) But Jesus told the disciples something very similar, "I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" ( Matthew 5:44 ). Paul is quoting from an Old Testament passage when he reminds us to love our enemies by caring for them when they are in need. In the same way, our actions should resemble this act of love and mercy. His mercy and goodness was never deserved, but Christ's purpose was to overcome evil and offer us freedom from death. His act of love brought us to the place where we were no longer enemies. Romans 5 goes on to say, "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" ( Romans 5:10 ). ![]() It is amazing to think that this act of mercy brought us into fellowship with God. ![]() Romans 5 tells us that while we are still steeped in sin, God demonstrated his love for us in the person of Jesus Christ ( Romans 5:8 ). God's love showed action when he sent Jesus into a hostile world. By caring for them, God's love spills out of your heart, becomes an action and people respond to it. Once you show consideration for people who disregard you, then enemies can no longer stay enemies. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head" (Romans 12:19-20)Īn amazing thing happens when you internalize a passage of scripture such as this and start living it out. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. "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. ![]()
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