“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
The news reports of a person who is stabbed in a carjacking, a child is abducted while walking home from school, a drunk driver crosses a highway median crashing head-on into a family on vacation, a soldier taking water to a thirsty, old man in a village is killed by a roadside bomb. It’s real hard to love the perpetrators of all these acts of violence yet the Bible teaches us we must. The ones who commit these tragic events remain God’s children; lost, possessed by the evil will of Satan, but still they belong to God, and He continues to love them.
(Romans 12:9-12) says; “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people, who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
In (Romans 12:17) we read, “Do not repay anyone evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.’”
All around us we see hate and evil, but we can be assured love conquers all! See how Jesus is our perfect example of love? In spite of all that was done to Him by those who persecuted Him He still asked His Father to forgive them! I want to be more like Jesus.
It is good that we possess a heart of forgiveness for those who wrong us. It is good that we bear no grudge toward anyone. “Love does no harm to its neighbor” (Romans 13:10).
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