Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21
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Scripture Quote: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28 NIV)
God loves His children and can use any circumstance, whether we believe it to be evil or good, to our betterment or advantage. It's a hard truth to swallow, but we are not to respond with anger to anyone, even someone who is obviously worldly with evil intent. We can choose to be more concerned with the salvation of an evil doer, rather than to dwell on contempt for the person. It isn’t easy to be of the same spirit as Jesus, but that is what we are called to be. It takes a faithful heart and a noble mind to respond to unmerited abuse with peaceful resolve.
Quarrelsome retaliation is not appropriate behavior for the Christian. We are to leave each matter of unjust treatment to our Father God, who is the righteous judge. We can reprove with mildness whatever our enemy’s fault, but we must ultimately trust in God's willingness to use evil for our eventual good. God's children think that using something bad for good would be plain and simple. However, sometimes God's manipulation serves purposes that we are not privy to - We may never know the chain of events that God orchestrates for His purposes. Simply trust and obey, knowing that God’s way is always best for us.
Today’s meditation: Christians are supposed to be the peacemakers.
Memory Verse: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 NIV)