9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.--------------
I chose this one because it is very similar to yesterday's BITW reading! Don't repay evil for evil.... Two wrongs don't make a right in the Lord's eyes! Jesus was the living example of how we should still love our enemies and not retaliate on them when they insult us! "Instead pay them back with a blessing." This is awesome! I want to be so comfortable with God that when people do me wrong..I will realize, just as Jesus realized, that they are "mere" humans! This also reminds me of the following verse: Romans 12:20
"In 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."
This is also so awesome! And important to understand! IT's better pay-back to do good than to do evil to repay evil! Let's do His will!
3-4 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
ReplyDeleteThis is a re-definition of beauty. We, as men of God, should be see inner beauty before we see outer beauty. This inner beauty that is described above is very precious to God. Should it not be very precious to us as well. We need to assess our definition of beauty and if it is beauty as the world defines it, we must ask God to renew our minds.
["Like" to Andy's post]
ReplyDeletev. 14-15 - But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Whether we are being persecuted or simply facing those who are lost and ignorant of Christ's love, this verse shows me that I should not return evil for evil, but rather take the opportunity to show them why I have hope, which is Christ. My relationship with this person doesn't define me, my relationship with Christ defines me. By praying for my adversaries, I will begin to love them.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been pt to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
ReplyDeleteWow. The cross is amazing. Starting at the beginning of the verse, and as we saw in Hebrews, Christ died for sins once for all. Not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also (that's me!). Without the cross I would not know God. As this verse states, Jesus died so He could bring us to God. But also look at 1 Peter 1:20-21, "... for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, ..."
I would not know God had Christ not come to the Earth for my sake! I love seeing these themes repeated throughout God's Word.
Praise God! He has pursued me even to sending His only Son to do for me, the just for the unjust, that I might be made alive in the spirit!
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThis really struck me as i was reading, I have read this before but it is such a clear message. To be an example of Christs love we should not be violent. Even when face with persecution we should endure the suffering and not retaliate with more violence. This is one of many was to share Gods love with people.
9 "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
ReplyDeleteWhen we are mistreated we must not retaliate towards other. Jesus teaches us to turn the other cheek and to repay evil with kindness. This verse reminds us of this teaching. Next time when you are stuck in a situation like this remember to honor God with your decision and actions and if you do, like this verse says, you will be blessed for it.