With our brothers and sisters being killed/martyred overseas, I felt led to share how important it is not to let our emotions take control and lead us into sin ourselves. This is especially hard when we see our brothers and sisters in Christ being brutally murdered in a fashion that seems to say their lives are worth nothing. Every week our hearts break just a little more when we hear about yet another ransom demand that won't be met, and another one of the Lord's children that faces quite possibly one of the worst deaths imagineable. Although anger at sin is necessary and holy, just as Jesus felt anger at His Father's house being turned into a marketplace, that anger can't be allowed to spill over to a thirst for vengeance.
Romans 12:19 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. 20 On 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." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The word is clear that even though we may feel anger at the sin itself and the principalities and powers in this world that have been unleashed in these last days to do whatever they will, we cannot allow ourselves to become wrapped up in thoughts of revenge and retribution. We have to remember that the Lord will repay the evil done to his saints and take comfort from knowing that he lifts up to a special place those that are martyred for his sake, for as it says in Psalms 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints".
Brothers and sisters, keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. Guard your hearts from thoughts of revenge and retribution as the media bombards you with the horrible images of our fallen brothers and sisters. Feel anger at the sin, "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)". Pray for the people that are taking hostages and committing these horrible acts of violence towards them. As hard as it may be, forgive them just as Jesus forgave those that nailed him to the cross.
As Christians, even though we may not be facing the enemy in the same way our brothers and sisters are overseas, we still face a test. How will we respond to these atrocities? Will we cry for their blood? Will we repay evil with evil? Or will we place our faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, obeying his words to love our enemies as ourselves, even as they persecute us? For even the apostle Steven, as he was being stoned to death, cried out for the Lord to forgive those that were murdering him. Should we not cry out the same thing?
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
God bless all of you,
Scott
Romans 12:19 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. 20 On 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." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The word is clear that even though we may feel anger at the sin itself and the principalities and powers in this world that have been unleashed in these last days to do whatever they will, we cannot allow ourselves to become wrapped up in thoughts of revenge and retribution. We have to remember that the Lord will repay the evil done to his saints and take comfort from knowing that he lifts up to a special place those that are martyred for his sake, for as it says in Psalms 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints".
Brothers and sisters, keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. Guard your hearts from thoughts of revenge and retribution as the media bombards you with the horrible images of our fallen brothers and sisters. Feel anger at the sin, "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)". Pray for the people that are taking hostages and committing these horrible acts of violence towards them. As hard as it may be, forgive them just as Jesus forgave those that nailed him to the cross.
As Christians, even though we may not be facing the enemy in the same way our brothers and sisters are overseas, we still face a test. How will we respond to these atrocities? Will we cry for their blood? Will we repay evil with evil? Or will we place our faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, obeying his words to love our enemies as ourselves, even as they persecute us? For even the apostle Steven, as he was being stoned to death, cried out for the Lord to forgive those that were murdering him. Should we not cry out the same thing?
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
God bless all of you,
Scott
