192. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, we can love enemies by remembering we are children of God.
5 September 2021
Leviticus 24
19 “‘Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner:
20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.’”
Matthew 5
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
He (Jesus) knew that the old eye-for-eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love. - Martin Luther King Jr. (1963). “Strength to Love”
I was once God's enemy. I believe that's the case for most of us.
Colossians 1
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
James 4:4
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
The words of Apostle Paul.
For if, while 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
Apostle Paul was the Pharisee Saul before he encountered the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus. He was once God's enemy.
Apostle Paul became the evangelist to Gentiles, which include us and we can reflect on the plea of Apostle Paul.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On 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.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
From Our Daily Bread
Jesus’ Unpopular Ideas
By: Anne Cetas
The One who teaches us is the One who gives the power to live out this upside-down life in whatever way He asks of us."
It is not by our own righteousness that we can love the unlovable, yet with our gratitude to God who demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, we can love enemies by remembering we are children of God.", this my children's children will utter one day.
The Lord our God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Calamity is in our midst, let us come before the Lord. Who knows? He may turn and relent.
Rend Your Heart
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13
""Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:10, 8, 9, 7). Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help (Psalm 30:10) for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness" (Psalm 26:3). This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
21 January 2018"
May you be blessed with God's Word.
Maraming salamat.
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