CWW WEEK 25 - Day 5 - Come And Reason
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CWW WEEK 25 DAY 5 COME AND REASON
4. Romans 12:17-21
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in
the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends,
but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy
is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In
doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
General Colin Powell once said in the first Gulf War that, “the best
way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend.”
Todays scripture amplifies this sentiment from the heavenly realms
We grew up being told that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” and
yet our natural tendency is to repay like for like. So lets look at
what happens when we play the game this way.
It often leads to other innocent people being hurt in the crossfire.
Jesus makes it plain.
Proverbs 6:16-17(NKJV):
“These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood.”
This passage clearly states that God hates the shedding of
innocent blood, which aligns with the idea of justice and
righteousness being central to His character.
Allow me to get a little controversial here.
In 2024 the war between Israel and Hamas raged on as Israel
retaliated after the October 7 attacks against Israelis. Under the
guise of protecting it’s borders it relentlessly bombed and killed
tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian men women and childrenCWW WEEK 25 DAY 5 COME AND REASON
along with international aid workers and journalists who were
covering the war from the other side.
Forget about who is right or wrong because for this argument that
part is irrelevant. This war has severely affected millions of people
and created yet another humanitarian crisis where innocent blood
has been spilled.
Look at how the children in a broken marriage get caught up in the
dysfunction of their parents. Often used as hostages and cannon
fodder as one revenge attack escalates to another which leads to
the ripples in the pond extending beyond that generation to their
children and their children’s children.
Reconciliation is a primary principle espoused in the government of
Heaven. Christ died so we could be reconciled to the Father.
Yet we race into conflict like it’s a sport. Instead we should sit on
our hands and carefully examine the outcomes of our actions
before we commit to them.
When we go to conflict based on our perceived right to retaliate are
we doing God’s work or God’s job.
So what does it mean to “heap burning coals on his head?”
Well this may be construed in several ways but nothing disarms
and nullifies your enemy’s wrath against you more than loving
them.
As I said before that when Michelle forgave the man who abused
her as a child he had no where else to go.
All it takes to end a battle is to have one side surrender. What we
have to come to terms with is the notion that he who surrenders
does not necessarily lose the war.
I recently received an incredible outburst from someone who was
angry based on lies believed breaking the circle of love and trust.
It would have taken me twenty minutes to read his missive against
me but I soon stopped when I realised he was in pain. I deleted the
message and sent him a text asking him if he was ok and what I
could do to help him.CWW WEEK 25 DAY 5 COME AND REASON
That led to a conversation that diffused his anger and restored him
to friendship.
You know what?
Sometimes we just have to suck it up and get out of God’s way.
Questions.
1. Do you find yourself plotting to get even with someone?
2. How much energy and time do you spend fruitlessly in this
pursuit for justice?
3. Are you prepared to look at this through a Jesus lens and come
and reason?
Prayer.
Dear Lord, Papa God.
I am often plagued by conflict that robs me of my serenity. Papa I
need you to show me the way our of this shadow and lead me to
become reconciled. May your will in my life be done Lord and
please give me the fruits of the spirit from which to act in
accordance with you will. For this I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Have a great day with Jesus.
Graham Hood.