Hi
You know, this Christian journey is serious business! It is not a walk in the park. For, Christ’s sacrifice opened the sealed door for us; and then there are the temptations of our former lives awaiting us! Consider today’s Holy Nougat – isn’t that a bit challenging in the natural?
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NLT
Smile, when they hurt us (or our loved ones); and not just swallow the natural response; offer a blessing! Erm … not always easy.
A friend once suggested that forgiveness was a deterrent to taking the final step to intimacy with Jesus. I wonder how this person would respond to instructions for blessing others who have done us wrong? (Probably take another step back!). The irony is, the blessing plan ought to include those who reject us, real or imagined, accidental or intentional.
Hmmm hmm.
That’s our calling and that’s where we need the Spirit’s intervention as Comforter, to move us past the pain in Spirit and Truth; and the direct infusion of Christ’s blood to transform our hearts and attitudes.
It’s rough tho.
For we forgive, bless and are asked to not hold it against them; when our natural defense mechanism says hit the ground running and don’t return.
Sometimes we are actually actually able to do that. For, it seems our love for some folks, blinds us to their wrongs regardless of what they do. I think we adopt the action, but not the psychological approach of being blind to the extent of violating our selves. For, in such situations, we may need to be evacuated from danger.
So the blessing could be speaking the change over their lives. Asking God to honor their needs. Being part of the transformation they need to experience in order to change! Or helping them out in a crisis.
Or asking God to help us release the person from the bitterness which we hold towards them.
By God’s Spirit, it is possible!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
