Doing the Right Thing!

Meditate with Power!

Doing the Right Thing!

II Thessalonians 3:5  May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Meditate on God’s Word!  Doing the right thing during times of persecution is one of the hardest things in life. Loving those that despise you is what Jesus commands us to do.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^[b]39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two  miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42

His words were about to usher in the era of grace which commanded Christians to be different and to be willing to be like Jesus and how He lived. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[c] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ 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. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Matthew 5:43-46

It is never easy to forgive those who have hurt you but this is the command of Jesus to those who follow His life, words and who believe in Him. As the Apostle Paul who believed in Jesus after persecuting Christians for a period of time, changed his life, taught us. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:14-18 Doing the right thing honors God, honors Jesus and may even lead to someone to follow Jesus and do the hardest thing in the world to do, forgive the way Jesus forgave us.