“Don’t repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1Pet.3:9). “Kindness will reward you; cruelty will destroy you.” (Prov.11:17)
Lord Jesus, apart from your grace and Spirit this “calling” mocks our sensibilities. We can’t/won’t live this way without a deep understanding of the Gospel and robust fellowship with you. Everything within us instinctively wants to get even when we get hurt by others—giving them a piece of our mind rather than a taste of your mercy.
Whether it’s a “lighthearted” slight or an outright attack, it hurts. When our birthday is forgotten but our failures are remembered, it hurts. When we’re left out of the party but included in the “conversation,” it hurts. Jesus, we ask you for the thick skin of the Gospel and a big heart or grace. We want to love well—when it’s easy and when it’s not.
You haven’t called us to be doormats; but you have called us to be foot washers—to love as you love us period. That can get complicated, so show us what faith expressing itself in love looks like in a variety of situations. Forgiving is ours and avenging is yours.
We can repay meanness with kindness only because your steadfast love for us never wavers or ends. We can overcome evil with good only because you have crushed evil under your feet and hold us in your hand. Hallelujah and thank you.
Jesus, we also want to own the fact that sometimes we’re just too sensitive, too easily offended, too quick to keep a record of wrongs done to us, too slow to overlook the failures of others. None of those things are fruit of the Spirit; all of them are expressions of our need for more growth in grace—for which we look to you now. Thank you and So Very Amen.
