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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

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.

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Daily Devotional: Boom!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 

Matthew 5:43-47

I have long been fascinated by words that are used in popular culture, like when my son-in-law first used the word “boom” to express joy. I had never heard it before, but today I just want to say, “boom.” As I reflected on today’s passage, I was reminded of a moment in which this very situation became real. Boom! 

A new family moved next door to me. One of the people in the household was a teddy bear of a man whom I loved to hug. But then he did something I found extremely troubling. One day, he tacked up a sign on his fence meant to discourage people from coming into our neighborhood. It was so offensive that I immediately began to detest my new neighbor. 

So what did I do, you might ask? 

I harbored not-so-nice thoughts about him while I ferociously made him my famous chocolate chip cookies. Something happened as I was stirring the chocolate chips into the heavy batter. I felt my angry heart begin to soften. Some people God asks us to love are harder than others, and this relationship would take more effort and extra kindness. “Boom.” I did something right for a change. I could still love him, but I didn’t have to like what he stood for. 

Today’s passage teaches that even our enemies are the neighbors God commands us to love. It is easy to love the people who love us back. It is tough to love those who have wronged us or people we do not know. God blesses all people with sun and rain (especially important in an agrarian society), not just those who love Him. As God’s children, we should be like Him, loving and doing good for everyone.  

I am learning to love my enemies. I may never be able to like what they stand for and believe in, but I can learn ways to love them. I can pray for them, wait, and see what God will do as I maintain my relationship with them.

Next Steps

Even Jesus got angry (temple tables turned). But Jesus still loved the Pharisees, the tax collectors, the adulterers, the thieves, the persecutors, and even his betrayers. In his extraordinary love, he gave his life to the whole world—you, me, and all the other evil doers. 

Are there people you find hard to love? Ask Jesus to soften your heart and give you what you need to love them anyway. You just might find a joy that can’t be extinguished.