MY
DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion
for Saturday February 25, 2017
Topic: It Is Not Optional
Text:
Romans 12:20 – 21
Four days before I wrote this, we
discussed a similar passage (Luke 6:27 – 28) in Men’s Fellowship of our church.
Some said it is not possible while others believe it is a difficult and hard
task for us. When I rose up to contribute to the discussion, I told them that
though it is a difficult and hard teaching, its compliance is not negotiable.
By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not
excusing his misdeeds or not condemning the action. We’re recognizing him,
forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins, just as Christ did for us.
The implication of Romans 12:20 is that we should treat those who offend us
kindly, well, and when they are in need, we should supply their wants.
This instruction seems very
impossible thing to do because of our human nature but we should understand that
if we can’t subject our human nature to obey us, then we are not worthy to be
called Christians. Until we grow to the level of forgiving our ‘enemies’ we
cannot claim that we are truly worthy to be called Christians (see Matthew 5:43
– 48). Matthew 5:44, 45 say, "But I say to you, love your enemies ... that
you may be sons of your Father in heaven ...” From these two verses, it is
obvious that if we can’t forgive our enemies, we shouldn’t lay claims to the
fact that we are children of God. This is very important teaching we should
take to heart in a time like this when the teaching in vogue is let my enemies
fall and die. We should learn to live like our Father in heaven who forgives us
freely.
Food
for Thought:
Matthew 5:43 – 48
Memory
verse: Romans
12 verse 20 – “Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him a drink; for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head”
(NKJV).
Prayer: Teach me, O
Lord, to forgive and love my enemies in Jesus name.
