Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. — Romans 12:17-19
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. — Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. — Luke 6:35
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In his book Resolving Everyday conflict, Ken Sande says that when it comes to granting forgiveness, God calls us to what feels like an outrageously high standard. But he also gives us the grace and guidance we need to forgive others as he has forgiven us. Obviously, when we are offended there is more than one way to settle the score. I regularly ask myself, “Don, are you going to seek retribution or choose forgiveness.” Retribution is easy. Forgiveness is hard.
During Lent I have been looking to the cross … a painful, beautiful reminder of the price Jesus was willing pay to reconcile me, and you, to Himself.
