If you read the suggested passage each day, by the end of 30 days you will have read the entire New Testament.
Day 7
30-day reading plan: Luke 1 – 6
Daily Verse: Luke 6: 28
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
30-day reading plan: Luke 1 – 6
Daily Verse: Luke 6: 28
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Queen Margaret's rant in Act 1 scene 3 of Shakespeare's Richard III is prophetic narrative as her curses of the
current court are realized by the end of the play. Queen Margaret heaps most of her curses on Richard,
because he is responsible for her heartache - the loss of her husband, son, and throne. Though, she is
responsible for the murder of his father and brother and the inspiration of his evil acts.
Our favorite movies and plays portray the story of people avenging the wrong done to them and acting badly after vowing allegiance to evil for the gain of power over those responsible for their misery. Well written characters make us feel pity for the way they have been wronged. We're torn between wanting vengeance against their enemy or wanting forgiveness and reconciliation with their enemy.
Jesus calls us to be reconciled with those we count enemies. We're not supposed to wish them harm. We're not supposed to hope for karma. We're not to repay evil with evil. We're to treat them the way that we want them to treat us. Jesus came to reconcile us to God. He lived for us to be reconciled to God and one another and that is why He instructs us to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us.
It is not easy to wish well those who have treated us poorly or spread rumors about us. That’s the point of faith. Rev. Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker once said, “If it’s the easy way, it’s not faith.” Forgiveness and reconciliation are important values of faith. When we want to hold on to the hurt and anger, we are called to let it go so we can allow the wounds to heal. When we harbor ill will, we continue to hurt. Only forgiveness and blessing allow us to heal.
Our favorite movies and plays portray the story of people avenging the wrong done to them and acting badly after vowing allegiance to evil for the gain of power over those responsible for their misery. Well written characters make us feel pity for the way they have been wronged. We're torn between wanting vengeance against their enemy or wanting forgiveness and reconciliation with their enemy.
Jesus calls us to be reconciled with those we count enemies. We're not supposed to wish them harm. We're not supposed to hope for karma. We're not to repay evil with evil. We're to treat them the way that we want them to treat us. Jesus came to reconcile us to God. He lived for us to be reconciled to God and one another and that is why He instructs us to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us.
It is not easy to wish well those who have treated us poorly or spread rumors about us. That’s the point of faith. Rev. Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker once said, “If it’s the easy way, it’s not faith.” Forgiveness and reconciliation are important values of faith. When we want to hold on to the hurt and anger, we are called to let it go so we can allow the wounds to heal. When we harbor ill will, we continue to hurt. Only forgiveness and blessing allow us to heal.
Question for reflection:
Is there someone who hurt you that you need to treat better?
Is there someone who hurt you that you need to treat better?
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