DCLM Higher Everyday 6 November 2023 — Refrain From Retaliation
Topic: Refrain From Retaliation
Text: Romans 12:17-21
17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Key Verse: “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).
Message
After a long shift at the fire department, Matt Swatzell fell asleep while driving and crashed into another vehicle, taking the life of a pregnant mother, June Fitzgerald, and injuring her 19-month-old daughter. Fitzgerald’s husband, a full-time pastor, asked for the man’s diminished sentence – and began meeting with him for coffee and conversation, as reported in Readers Digest Magazine.
Sometimes, it is difficult to forgive an offence. But the truth is, it is more difficult and dangerous to harbour a grudge or malice. Yes, we may not forgive for the other person’s sake but for our own good. Forgiveness frees us to live in the present and allows us to move on without anger or desire for revenge. It brings us to good mental, physical and social health. It clears the cobweb so that we can see the good again. Above all, forgiveness is the right thing to do because, God commands it. Indeed, you may one day need to be forgiven. Remember the immortal words of Alexander Pope: “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” Be a true child of God.
Quote: To forgive is divine
Challenge: It is more difficult to harbour a grudge.
Prayer for today: Lord, I forgive those who trespass against me.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
