Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14
One of the hardest commandments in the most difficult times
Why? Because it requires you to forgive even the vilest offenders. Why? Because these are the very same people God has given His one and only Son to die for. According to God’s standard, we were all wicked and worthy of hell fire, but God chose to overlook our past sins because of His great love.
Nobody and I mean nobody can easily obey these two commands, which are a reiteration of what Jesus commands us in Matthew 5:43-48. This law of Christ was never meant to be easy, but it was given so that the church could finish the work of Christ. So I write this devotion with much humility because I like you must offer my body as a living sacrifice and constantly renew my mind in this area.
Payback
Let me tell you why we all need to constantly be reminded to forgive our enemies, especially in these last days. People have lost their children to bullying. Innocent lives have been taken carelessly. People have been tricked by predatory lenders and driven into homelessness. People have been molested, both married and unmarried, by strangers.
Why does God tell us not to curse our enemies? Why doesn’t God just allow us to kill the really bad ones ourselves? God tells us in Romans 12:19, that vengeance belongs to Him and He will repay with tribulation those who have harmed you (2 Thessalonians 1:6).
The reason why God does it Himself is that He knows how to do it perfectly and with the proper measure. Jesus was also the one who inspired the phrase, “Live by the sword, die by the sword” in Matthew 26:52. We cannot pay back every person who wrongs us, but God is able to pay back and wash away the sins of a repentant enemy, just like Paul.
Already Condemned
In John 3 Jesus says, “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.” So the wicked are already condemned to hell unless they turn from their wickedness and put their faith in Jesus Christ. This short life is as good as it gets for them and God promises that these enemies will pay, but Romans 5:10 says,
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].”
Romans 5:10
No abuse, injury, deception, insult, betrayal, pain, sin, or consequence will enter into heaven with you as a Christian. All of the pain and suffering of this life will be done away with and will be exchanged for glory in the life to come. Isn’t that awesome? I hope that lifts your spirit because the devil only desires to see you down and out, but God wants you to know that He has already given you the victory in this life, as well as His kingdom in the next (1 Corinthians 15:57)!
We must love our enemies and bless them because we were once enemies just like them.
Salvation Plan
Today, if you have not received Salvation or you would like to rededicate your life back to Christ, say this prayer:
God, I know that I am a sinner. Right now, Lord, I turn from my sins, and I ask you to forgive me. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the grave, for me. I open my heart and life for You to come in, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You, God for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read the Book of John in the Bible. Find out who Christ is, and how He loves you, yes you!
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Love,
Randomnestfamily
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