Love, Light and Life
... more than a devotional
Friday, 30th June, 2023
BEYOND THE HUMAN NATURE
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
I Peter 3:9 NKJV
There's a perfection of God's love life which he wants us to attain to. It's not something common to human behaviour. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, bless those that curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Now it's important to understand that to bless means to proclaim God's goodness and word upon them.
It's not something that is done with offence or evil intention in mind. Some folks, when others do something wrong to them reply "it is God that will bless you", and by this they mean, "God will revenge this evil you have done to me."
But this isn't what Jesus meant when he said His words. The same thing is repeated again, this time by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:14. "Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse." This reveals to us what the will of God is for us on the matter.
It's something beyond the human nature. To pray earnestly for those who persecute you, not that they should perish, but that they should repent and be saved. You don't need to pray for their destruction. They are already on the path of destruction. If you understand that Christ died for them too, then you'd pray for their salvation. Glory to God.
Prayer: Dear Father, I pray for the salvation of all who are consumed with wickedness and evil, and all who treat others unkindly. May they repent of their sins and have a change of heart. May they experience your love, and receive your salvation. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.
Further Reading: Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14-21
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