Tag: Compassion

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Are You Living Up to Your Full Spiritual Calling?

Everything God created has the potential for greatnessAre you reaching your Godly potential? Have you maximized what you can do? Maslow once said, “What you can be, you must be.”

He may not have realized it, but he was echoing the heartbeat of Scripture.

In just seven words, he uncovered a truth God had already embedded into every person’s soul: You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Embracing that purpose isn’t optional—it’s a sacred duty.

Before Creation

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

That phrase stops me every time: “…the days that were formed for me…”

Before I took my first breath, God already saw every step I’d take. So why, if God knows the plan, is it so hard to live it? Why do we wrestle to find our potential, stumble into calling, and question if we’re on the right path?

The Paradox

Because there’s a tension here—a paradox, which theologians refer to as antinomy: two truths that appear to contradict but are both real. God has a sovereign plan, yet we still have to choose it.

Boethius, writing 1,500 years ago, described a picture: God exists outside of time. He perceives the beginning and the end at the same time. He doesn’t guess what we’ll do—He knows. But His knowing doesn’t override our ability to choose. We are not robots; we are image-bearers with responsibility.

I can’t fully explain how it works, but I’ve seen evidence that it does. Scripture confirms it. Experience affirms it. I’ve seen purpose, and I’ve seen rebellion. I’ve watched lives redeemed and others wasted. Evil exists, but not because God planned it—because people chose it.

Evil vs. Doing Nothing

As I understand it, evil is not always active wickedness. Sometimes, it’s simply the absence of doing good. Choosing not to decide is still a choice—and often, it’s the wrong one.

Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

Older translations say “create evil,” but that Hebrew word—rah—refers to calamity, not moral evil. It points to disruption and hardship, not depravity. Let’s not confuse natural consequences with moral corruption. God may bring judgment or allow trouble, but He never authorizes sin.

That’s a different discussion. This one is about your potential. So no, we don’t get to sit back and let life “work out.” God’s plan for you is real, but it requires participation.

Snowflakes and Pebbles

“Behind every avalanche is a snowflake, behind every rockslide is a pebble.” – Max Lucado

God’s will is like an avalanche. Your decisions are the snowflakes, and obedience is the pebble.

You matter. Your choices matter—your calling matters.

Discovering and living out your God-given purpose isn’t just a noble idea; it’s the reason you’re still alive. It’s what makes you complete, not only in who you are but also in your relationship with the One who created you.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

You’re called. The plan is real. But you still have to step into it.

What can you be… You must be.

So, what’s stopping you?

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How to Live Sustainably: Balancing Purpose, Passion, and Vocation

Vocation Sustains PurposeSustainability is about endurance. Our purpose and passion are not always the same as our livelihood; our purpose is to glorify God, and our passion is how we fulfill that purpose. Our livelihood is our vocation, which supports our purpose and passion. Paul was a tentmaker. That was his day job; it funded his ministry.

Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade, they were tentmakers. “

Paul continued to pursue his vocation as a tentmaker throughout his life, including during the time he was an enforcer for the Sanhedrin and after his conversion. We can assume he was pretty skilled at it. However, being skilled at something and having a passion for it are two very different things.

Having a Skill

Every person, of every degree, state, sex, or condition, without exception, must have some personal and particular calling to walk in. –William Perkins, A Treatise of the Vocations

We often confuse being skilled at something with being passionate about it. After all, to excel at something, you need to practice, learn, and dedicate time to it. Why would anyone invest so much effort in something they don’t feel passionate about? There are many reasons. You might believe that your material life would improve if you pursued this particular career. Or you could feel more accepted in your social circle if you possessed a specific skill. For some children, their parents instill the idea that they should pursue a particular profession when they grow up, leading them to chase it to make their parents happy.

In America, I often see that after finishing school, we need to start earning a living. We aren’t always aware of what options are out there, so we take whatever job is available. Sometimes we do some basic filtering, like: I enjoy talking to people, or I dislike working with numbers. But mostly, we need to pay the rent. This begins a vicious cycle of more bills, more money, more obligations, and more expenses. We become skilled at something because it fulfills and sustains this essential need. Sustainability of life is a requirement for sustainability of purpose.

Having a Passion

But the vocation that Paul excelled in was not his passion. When asked who he was, he would not have said “tentmaker”.

1 Corinthians 16-17, “For when I preach the Gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.”

Paul expresses his passion for preaching the word. He felt compelled to preach. Paul had a clear understanding of his calling and love, and it wasn’t about tentmaking.

As we look toward the future to understand God’s plan for our lives, we should learn a lesson from Paul. Our vocation may be a vital part of God’s plan for us, providing sustainability in our ministry. We might not need or want to quit our “day job” as we get closer to God’s plan. It might not be our passion, but it could be part of the plan. It is a skill and a resource God has given us to use for His purpose.

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters.”

Compensation

I need to point out that Paul believed those who share the Gospel could receive compensation. If full-time ministry is your calling, then God will find a way for you to earn a living from it. Here is what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:11 “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”

1 Corinthians 9:14, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the Gospel.”

Galatians 6:6 “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Sustainability matters. If what you are pursuing is truly God’s plan for you, He will supply the necessary resources. From experience, I should remind you that the present shapes the future by using the past. The season of your life might change. Don’t see that as a lack of sustainability. Instead, view it as the cost of tuition.

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“The Danger of a Single Story—and How to Embrace Many Narratives”

To choose to write is to reject silence.There is a risk in forming a narrative from a single story. But we do it all the time.

Someone is rude to us, and we form an image of that person. We see how someone dresses, and we create an impression of their life. Most of us read a news article and develop an opinion. We read a Bible verse and build a belief.

Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Context is everything. The backstory shapes the interaction. Most outbursts don’t come from the current event but are the result of past experiences. Life often boils over.

Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be glorified. — African Proverb (popularized by Chinua Achebe).

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I recently watched a TED Talk by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called “The Danger of a Single Story.” She explained how easy it is to form assumptions based on limited exposure, such as one article, one image, or one encounter. “The problem with stereotypes,” she said, “is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”

1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

That resonated with me deeply. I’ve seen it play out in conversations about culture, poverty, politics, and faith. I’ve also caught myself doing it — jumping to conclusions before hearing the whole story.

Even in Scripture, we fall into this trap. We build entire theologies around single verses, ignoring the broader narrative. We isolate Jesus’ words without understanding the people He was addressing or the cultural backdrop of His day. When we do that, we risk distorting both the message and the heart behind it.

Because of my volunteer work I have had the privilege of listening to the backstories of incredible people in extremely adverse circumstances. People who I am convinced will change the world around them in spite of the political, economic and cultural issues holding them back. We are all created in the image of God, unique and perfect for the purpose for which God planned for us before all of creation. Most of us become trapped in a broken world and never achieve that purpose. Our voice is silenced and we are lost.

Stepping Back

John 8:7, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

But if we step back and listen longer — if we seek the whole story — something shifts.

Instead of judgment, we offer grace.

Instead of fear, we extend curiosity.

Instead of division, we build understanding.

The challenge is this: Will we choose the harder path of listening, learning, and unlearning the single stories we’ve absorbed? Will we allow room for complexity, contradiction, and growth in others and ourselves?

The next time someone crosses your path or a headline catches your eye, pause. Ask: Is this the whole story? Or just the easiest one to believe?

Maybe That’s Why I Write.

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

There are days like this when I feel a strong desire to make a difference. I know I’m not a well-known influencer. I don’t have a huge platform or a viral message.

But I have simple words; words that might reach one person. Words that could start an echo, even if I never hear it.

So, I’ll keep writing. I’ll keep listening beyond just a single story. I’ll continue choosing grace, complexity, and truth — because sometimes, the smallest voice can shatter the loudest assumptions. Today, you and I are part of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s echo. We are the reverberation of her voice that she will never hear. I challenge you to start your echo in truth and grace.

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Last Day on Earth

Take care of your life, and the Lord will take care of your deathIf today were your last day on earth, how would you live it? Reflect on life’s meaning, priorities, and what truly matters most. Most of us don’t get that kind of warning. But if we did, would we choose differently? I don’t mean to sound morbid—but it’s a powerful question worth asking.

James 4:14, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

“You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” — Rick Warren

The Accident

I passed a horrific accident on the interstate after visiting family. Metal twisted like paper. Debris littered the highway. Both cars had rolled at high speed. Their roofs lay shredded and torn off completely. The wreckage screamed devastation. No one could have survived.

My first thought: Were they ready to die this morning when they woke up?

Psalm 39:4, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.”

Today probably started like any other day for them, except for the excitement of a trip. Plans were made, all the essential things needed for the trip were gathered and stored, and life moved forward. Most of us begin each day expecting it to continue normally.

We rarely think: This is the day I stand before God. We assume today will unfold like yesterday. But sometimes, it doesn’t.

The Conversation

I remember a conversation from years ago with an inmate on death row. I was curious about how it feels to know the exact time and date of your death. To me, it seemed frightening and unsettling. He became a Christian in prison; his response was that it was comforting. He then asked, “Do you know if you will live to make it home? Were you prepared?” Life has a way of disrupting our plans. That really stayed with me.

Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Seeing this accident reminded me of his statement. Did I wake up this morning with the intent to live today as if it were my last? Do I live that way every day? Sadly, my answer is “No.” Somehow, I expect to keep living, pretty much the same way I always do. I make a few adjustments along the way, but that is about it.

The Realization

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. There are apologies we’ve postponed. People who need to hear the Gospel. Loved ones we haven’t embraced. Invisible neighbors who crave recognition. It’s easy to let the urgent override the essential. Easy to say, “I’ll get to that later.”

But what if later never comes?

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I want you to be prepared. Take a moment every morning to think about it and respond accordingly.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –

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Do You Love Me?

,Love is a verbDo you love me? That was the question Jesus asked Peter.

John 21:15-17, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again, Jesus said, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

We often talk about our “favorite” Bible verses or choose a “verse of the day,” but the Bible is much more than just inspirational quotes. It’s a collection of love letters—some written by specific people to certain recipients and some anonymous—all pointing to God’s deep affection for us and how we should respond with affection for Him.

God’s Love for Us

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us—not because we deserved it, but because His compassion is so great that He wants us with Him forever. Our salvation is a priceless gift that we could never earn or repay. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make Him love us less.

Our Love for God

So, how do we show our love for God?

God gives us the ingredients for our daily bread, but he expects us to do the baking!  – Chip Ingram

It’s not enough just to say we love Him or even to pray for others. We must show our love through how we live—by obeying God’s Word and ensuring our actions reflect our faith. Without actions that demonstrate our love, we can fool ourselves into thinking we believe in something we don’t truly believe.

James 2:18-20, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe in one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

It isn’t about working in a soup kitchen or going on mission trips, it is about the daily display of compassion, patience, and understanding. It is about living your life as God would have you live it. Glorifying yourself through grand gestures so people think you are a good person isn’t it.

This self-deception is dangerous.

Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

This is a danger we might not even see until it’s too late.

A Warning

God warns us clearly: We must demonstrate our faith and trust in Christ through good deeds. However, good deeds alone, without love for Christ, are meaningless. Our faith should inspire us to care for others, but doing so without loving Christ is also empty of meaning.

We must recognize God as the source of our love and life, giving thanks to Him in all we do.

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

You can’t be saved just by caring for others — anyone can do that. But you need to demonstrate that you are saved by caring for others.

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

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Silence is Rarely Silent

Sound of SilenceThe Sound of Silence

Silence is rarely silent. Often, it is louder than the surrounding voices. When we sit back and allow contrary and even destructive voices to drown out the voices of compassion, our silence becomes a statement. It reflects who we are and who we choose to be: apathetic.

Zechariah 7:9: “Show kindness and compassion to one another.”

When we turn away from someone in need and ignore those struggling to survive or be recognized, our inaction resonates louder than words. It suggests that their lives are less significant than ours. We proclaim that our chaotic, confusing, and busy existence is more valuable than compassion or grace, as if their stories matter less than ours.

“Sometimes loneliness makes the loudest noise.” ― Aaron Ben-Ze’ev

The Sound of Apathy

Silence is rarely silent. Not offering a kind word or an act of compassion often does more harm than harsh words. It leaves the other person feeling invisible and without value. Some argue that anger is better than apathy because at least anger still involves feeling. Apathy, however, is a void; it’s the absence of love, empathy, and connection.

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

The powerful aspect of compassion is that it transforms us. When we choose to see others and enter their lives, we begin to perceive a richer, more understanding world. We come alive by helping others feel alive. That’s not a burden—it’s a gift. Silence eats away at the core of who God made us. It degrades the essence of who we are, created in His image.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia.

The Sound of God’s Whisper

Silence drowns out the whisper of God’s love calling us to action. God doesn’t force us to care; He doesn’t demand action. He gently whispers through love, inviting us to respond not out of obligation but out of gratitude. Loving others isn’t a requirement for earning God’s love—it’s a result of receiving it.

Proverbs 11:17. “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

Yes, life is demanding. We have schedules to keep, responsibilities to manage, and our wounds to heal. But the challenge isn’t whether we’ll face obstacles; it’s whether we’ll rise above them. Whether we’ll choose the path of love, even when it’s inconvenient. Life will offer you the rationalization needed to move on in silence. But is that God’s nature? God never chose silence when we were in need. He gave His son that we may live. And if we want to reflect His heart, neither can we.

Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

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The Church in Aisle Five: How the Marketplace Becomes Your Ministry

The Legacy you leaveThe church in aisle five: how the marketplace becomes your ministry. For many individuals who do not attend church—whether due to disbelief, disinterest, or disillusionment—the only Christian witness they may encounter isn’t a pastor behind a pulpit but a businessperson behind a counter.

They may never sit through a sermon, open a Bible, or step foot in a sanctuary. But they will, at some point, buy a cup of coffee, get a haircut, or ask for help at a hardware store. In those moments, the person across from them—ringing up the order, sweeping the floor, or fixing a mistake—might be the closest thing to “church” they ever experience.

For the Christian businessperson, that makes the marketplace their ministry.

If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased. – Maya Angelou

A Life That Echoes

Most of us want our lives to matter. We long to leave behind more than just a name—we want to leave something meaningful. For me, that “something” isn’t fame or success, but an echo of grace or wisdom that outlives me—something so rich in truth and compassion that it gets passed on, told, and retold. We should not strive to leave a legacy FOR people but leave a legacy IN people.

Sean Rowe captures this beautifully in his song “To Leave Something Behind”:

“I’m not trying to change your mind, ’cause I was born to leave something behind.”

Every interaction in the marketplace is an opportunity for that echo—an opportunity to live out grace, patience, mercy, truth spoken gently, and love without strings attached.

It might seem like a kind word to a weary mother, eye contact and presence with a grieving man who struggles to express his pain, or grace for a customer who erupts in frustration. These seemingly small moments may hold more power than a thousand sermons.

The Ministry Outside of Religion

People in pain seldom inquire about theology or doctrine. Most quietly ask, “Is there a love big enough to meet me in this hurt?”

And you, as a follower of Christ in business, might be the one God has placed in their path.

2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”

Sometimes, that appeal doesn’t sound like a sermon—it feels like warmth, kindness, and safety. Your office, your store, your place of business—it becomes an oasis in a chaotic world—a moment of hope for someone who has long stopped looking for it.

Ministry From the Heart

Polina Gelman, a member of the WWII Soviet bomber squadron known as the “Night Witches once said: “That which is done from the call of the heart is always better than that which is done out of obligation.”

How much more true is this when Christ forms that heart?

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.

You don’t need to preach to reflect Jesus. You need to live in such a way that someone walks out of your shop or office thinking: I felt seen, I felt safe, and I felt, somehow… loved.

That experience could be the beginning of their faith. That kindness might be your legacy. That moment could mark the start of your echo.

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.”

Even in aisle five.

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You Were Chosen to Bear Fruit That Lasts

You were chosen to bear fruit that lasts. Your existence is not temporal; it is eternal.  Your actions are not of someone who passes through, but of someone who is sent.

John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit—and that your fruit should remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” — John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

Let me tell you a story.

It was late fall. I remember because it was already dark as I stepped off the MARTA train and started walking toward my destination. The air had that unmistakable chill, not the clean, biting cold of the north, but the damp Georgia kind that creeps under your coat and settles in your bones.

I was late to meet a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. My head was down, shoulders hunched against the wind, when I caught the faint shape of a man standing across the courtyard. Just a shadow. But then, a voice inside me—quiet, yet impossible to ignore—said, “Stop.”

So I stopped.

The man wore a trench coat, but it looked more for appearance than warmth. He stood there, glancing left and right like he didn’t know what to do next. I thought, I’m late, and began to move on.

I Couldn’t Walk Away

Then came another whisper: “To the least of these…”

Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

It wasn’t a command. Not even a plea. Just a gentle reminder—truth spoken in stillness. That’s how God often speaks. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t push. He invites.

For the first time, I honestly looked at the man. His face told the story his words never would. Pain, loss, and disappointment. His Eyes were far older than his age. I knew that if I engaged, I would step into his burden. And I also knew, once I saw him—really saw him—I couldn’t walk away.

So I asked quietly, “Can I help you?”

That’s all it took. A small gesture, but to him, it meant everything. I gave him what I had, and it was enough. He straightened his back, shook my hand, and nodded a quiet thanks. But his eyes—those eyes—spoke volumes: relief, surrender, maybe even hope.

As I turned to leave, something pulled at me again. I looked back and said, “You know, God loves you. That’s why I’m here right now.”

And he smiled. “Yes, sir, I truly know that.”

“Small acts, when done with great love, can change the world.” – Inspired by Mother Teresa,

You Were Chosen for Moments Like These

God is not only the Author of great missions and lifelong callings—what we sometimes call BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals)—but also the quiet, divine interruptions. The ones that whisper instead of roar. The ones that change you, if you let them.

Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Sometimes he plants a seed, tends it over time, and gently shapes us for something big. But other times, He says, “Look. Right there. That one.” And when we look, it takes our breath away.

Those moments are memorial stones. I keep them in my heart like reminders—evidence that God invited me into His plan, not because He needed me, but because He loves me.

He chose me. He chooses you. To bear fruit—lasting fruit.

Answer the call. Be the one who stops, who listens, who speaks life into the hurting. I can’t fully explain how it will change you, only that it will. Forever.

Be that Person.

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

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I want to be an Avenging Angel.

Living Well is the best RevengeI do; I want to be an avenging angel, raining down brimstone and fire on all that is evil in the world; I want God to empower me to wreak havoc on all that is wrong. I want to be invincible and omni-powerful;  I want to walk into the private enclaves of the rich and powerful and demand retribution. How cathartic would that be? How validating and hopeful would the world seem to me? Me, reigning over the unjust and the unworthy. But who would want to rain down brimstone on me?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born, and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay

Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

God’s Intent

But that is not God’s intent. One of the hardest lessons for me to learn is that salvation, not retribution, makes the world livable. When people come to understand God’s love, they become the type of people we want in our world. It is not the elimination of evil but the conversion of evil that makes all that Christ has taught us work.

Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

That’s difficult for me. I want revenge; I want evil to suffer. Like Jonah, I don’t want the people of Nineveh’s salvation but their elimination. I want them punished because they have caused so much harm to others. It is hard for me to comprehend God’s compassion. Why does He want them in His kingdom after what they have done?

Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

Wouldn’t that be great to travel the world visiting the despicable, the vicious, the depraved, the unscrupulous, the hateful, and the godless people to present them with their eternal separation from Christ? To stand back and watch when they realize their actions culminated in destruction.

God’s True Intent

“The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship

That is not Godly. God will allow the Godless to reap their rewards, but only after giving them every opportunity to repent. My prayer should not be for retribution but salvation. I should dedicate my life to attracting those who do not know God to God. Boy, that is a big ask.

1 Peter 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

Like Jonah, I need to accept that what Christ did for me is precisely what He will do for others. I should want Him to extend the grace He gave me to others. It is not us against the world. It is the world against God, and those who choose God will prevail.

Matthew 5:38-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, also turn the other to him. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him also have your coat.”

It would be nice to be God’s avenging Angel, to vanquish evil. But that is in Revelations, not today. That is God’s domain. We must save those who do not see the light, not condemn them. That’s the hard part. God wants us to love, not hate.

“To return evil for good is devilish; to return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.” – John Stott in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount

1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

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Blessed are the Persecuted

Blessed are the PerscutedMatthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I’ve always thought the caveat to this is the statement “because of their righteousness.” If we go around with a holier-than-thou attitude, we probably deserve to be slapped around. I know a good number of Christians who want to start a holy war to feel persecuted. I don’t mean a literal war, but a skirmish with non-believers, a little dust-up. Then, they can proudly proclaim that they are defending the faith.

Witness Complex

Charles Spurgeon said: “There seems to be no need to defend a lion. All one has to do is to let it loose, and the lion will defend itself.”  (“Christ and His Co-Workers,” March 7, 1886)

Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells His followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…”

You will be my witnesses; that is an important differentiator. We are to live blameless lives that reflect the compassion and love of Christ. Earlier, I said that the Beatitudes were not a collection of people but different aspects of the same person. We are to be poor in spirit, mourning the status of the human condition, humble, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker. If, in doing all of these things, we are persecuted, then we can legitimately say it is holy persecution, not just the natural outcome of pious behavior.

Why is our witness or testimony so compelling? First, many people claim to know the scripture, even when they don’t. Only a fool argues with a fool. But our testimony is unique to us. No one is an expert on Christ’s actions in our lives but ourselves. No one can debate or cast doubt on what we have experienced. We are the ultimate source of who we are, what we have done and seen, and what God has done for and through us. They can debate scripture, but they cannot question the story of our lives.

C.S. Lewis once said, “I do not want to reduce the riches of our experience to a few propositions, nor do I want to substitute theology for God Himself.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer)

Persecution Complex

I was on a mission trip to a Muslim country a few years ago. One of the new participants had brought a few Bibles and Christian Literature with him to distribute in the market. He knew it was illegal. His stated goal was to be persecuted by the local Muslims. We tried to explain to him that if he did this, not only would he be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, but the government would close the Christian schools and the University because of him. He didn’t care. He assailed us for being cowards by not standing up for the Gospel in the market.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

We did convince him to at least think of his wife and child, even if he could not think of the local Christians who would be subjected to persecution for his sake, not Christ’s. That was an extreme case of shortsightedness, but it brought the point home to me.

We are to be living testimony to the goodness of Christ, even to the point of persecution. We confront and confuse evil through kindness, compassion, and love, not passive-aggressive arguments.

Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

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