Tuesday, May 6, 2014

How to treat someone who has wronged You

Read Proverbs 25.

Forgiving someone who has lied, stolen, betrayed or otherwise hurt you is difficult.  Some would say they cannot forgive.  In doing so, they only harm themselves emotionally and spiritually.  The only basis in the universe for forgiveness of sin is the full payment Christ made on the cross.

We do not deserve to be forgiven by God.  It is an offer of His grace to us.  Therefore, those who have experienced God's forgiveness are free to forgive others their wrongs against us.

Jesus included that thought as an element for our prayers.  "...and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to to us." (Luke 11:4a)

Forgiving another person is one thing but how we treat them afterward is the proof.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...'" (Matthew 5:43-44)

Proverbs 25:21-22 gives specific illustrations of how to put that into practice.  If a household did not have coals for their fire, they could not cook and/or had no heat.  Providing starter coals for a family, which they could carry "on their heads," would have been an act of kindness.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul coupled Deuteronomy 32:35 with Proverbs and expanded the application.  "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'  To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." ( Romans 12:19-21)



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