Even though it’s tempting, you just can’t treat people bad because they treat you bad. The temptation to do so is the enemy setting a trap. We must be aware of his devices and even more aware of the Lord’s love. It doesn’t mean we have to be “doormats” who just lay down in front of them inviting them to walk all over us. What it does mean is that their negativity doesn’t stick to us, because, we’ve found our security in the One who loves us unconditionally. It doesn’t even mean we have to be super sweet and force ourselves on them when we see them. It just means that we’re kind, cordial, and walking His light & love.
John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
It’s so hard for me to believe there are professed Christians who still quote and live by, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. Jesus gave us a new commandment – love one another, turn the other cheek, pray for those, do good to those…
This isn’t easy for anyone, because the human nature, the Adam nature, wants to rise up and take matters into our own hands. We want to make people reap what they’ve sown toward us. This is not Christ-like at all. He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He taught us to pray, “Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” How arrogant of us to think we’re faultless. If we expect the Lord to forgive our sins, should we not also forgive others? Even when they don’t ask for it. I came to the conclusion a long time ago, I’m never going to get that apology I so thought I deserved. Let. It. Go. It’s time to move forward. Old things are passed and it’s time to experience and revel in the newness of God’s goodness toward us!
