Even It Up

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:38-39

Trying to raise our children the best we can, Jesus' words on retaliation are certainly relevant on a daily basis in our home. We have two young boys and as they grow bigger, stronger, and sometimes temperamental, it is important that we instill the value of not seeking revenge on each other at an early age.

When we are wronged, it is human nature to want to get even. Instead of seeking vengeance, Jesus' radical words are to do good to those who have wronged us! I still struggle with this today and luckily have not acted out too many times when I have been wronged in the past.

Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive-just as our loving Father has done freely for us. This is certainly not natural; it's supernatural.

Only God can give us the strength to love as only he does! The next time you plan to seek revenge, pray for the person who has wronged you instead.

People Are People

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  (1 John 4:11)

This week has been exceptionally interesting following the President's announcement that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by a group of Navy Seals.  What started out as a proud moment for our country and the brave soldiers that have been his pursuit for over nine years, quickly turned into a heated and political debate on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. 

Despite my personal, religious, and political views, I realize and respect that other people hold different and opposing views than me. Too often, people feel that they only have to get along with people who are of similar belief, culture, nationality,race, gender, or income level. The truth is that God wants us to treat ALL others with the same mercy, kindness, forgiveness, civility, and compassion as Jesus did.  And what about good manners?  I am not sure if I am more in tune with what people say to each other now that I am 'plugged in', but where has common courtesy gone these days? 

I realize that I have a lot to learn and am not being self-righteous; I guess I just wonder why people can't get along more; we aren't living together as God intends us to....