We of the human race are a peculiar bunch. None of us enjoy being the victim or target of other peoples gossiping tongues... None of us enjoy being the subject of peoples judging and condemnation... But Jesus Himself was the victim of the Pharisees judgmental, legalistic attitudes. Yet He didnt retaliate. He didnt judge those whod judged Him. He didnt curse those who cursed Him. He didnt gossip about those who gossiped about Him. Rather He told us that if we truly followed Him that we too would face similar ridicule and persecution and He both Told us and Showed us in His Word how to respond to such actions by others. LUKE 6:27-38 27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Do Not Judge 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Sadly, all too often, we as humanity become just as guilty as our offenders because rather than walk in true forgiveness, REGARDLESS OF THE OFFENSE, we respond in like manner and verbally assault those whove wounded us. When we slander, ridicule, gossip or attack those whove attacked us verbally, we suddenly become guilty of the same offense that were accusing them of. I speak from experience. Ive been guilty so many times of Slandering a Slanderer, Judging a Judge, Gossiping about a Gossiper, Verbally Assaulting a Verbal Assaulter... Father, help me to ever walk in a Spirit of Forgiveness, to be ever ready to turn the other cheek. to always be willing to err on the side of Gods Agape Love, and to be readily offering Grace to the undeserving just as Ive so abundantly received Your Amazing Grace in my life when Ive been so undeserving. Forgive others and release yourself to walk in true freedom!
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:33:15 +0000
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