Greetings fellow sister soldiers!
A new month is here and a new day. Time just keeps going by steadily and consistently. It's hard to imagine there being time no more...but there will be we have been told by Someone who knows better than us!
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18
Let us set our hearts on and prepare for the eternal.
I was pondering on the whole subject of...
Good for good
Good for evil
Evil for evil
Evil for good
I guess there's only those four options really of what we (or others) do in life to our fellow man! What does Titus 2 tell us women to be? Good! So surely we will be wanting to return good for good and good for evil!
So many scriptures on the subject if it mentions it or not. Yes we see a difference in places in the old law where it was an eye for an eye etc but we live in the new and we have been told what to do! And even right through the scriptures the general concept was the same.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.Proverbs 17:13
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Romans 12:17
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.1 Thessalonians 5:15
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.1 Peter 3:9
That's a scripture command that is so crystal clear, no excuses! Of course there's more that don't say it directly but commands of what we are to do for those who do evil like this one...
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:38-45
Such a high calling we have sisters but with His help it is possible and He gives us a changed heart and a desire to obey Him no matter if it's hard sometimes. But His ways are good! We are not our own but His and He is our Master and we His humble servants.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.Proverbs 25:21-22
Yes surely there are times our flesh doesn't want to do good for evil but God is the avenger not us! And two wrongs never make a right!
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.Romans 12:19
I don't know about you but to me there's something really heart warming or something about loving and showing mercy to those who did evil to you and most especially if they did repent of it and you see them doing better. God's ways are just good! Mercy in itself is a precious gift and ponder on the Lord's exceeding great mercy towards us.
Ponder what God actually did. He did good for evil. We sinned against Him and He in love sent Christ! He showed great mercy on us all. Oh yes He is the judge and there will be a coming judgement but He has done all He could for us and wants none to perish! He came to seek and save the lost...but judgement day is coming. May we be ready...including by doing good to others and showing them mercy if we want God's mercy!
Others may do this but let it not be us...
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.Psalm 109:5
And most of all...let us never do evil by sinning against the Lord after the love and goodness He has showed us. Always a lot to think about and so much variety of things to ponder on. Everything God does seems to have a lot of variety like His creations for one!
Let us hold fast to that which is eternal and shall never be shaken...
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:26-29
Hold fast to the truth my sisters and keep soldiering on through this life!
Love to all,
Christ's servant,
Chayil
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