DAILY READING
REFLECTION
TITLE: Living in the Light
by David Thompson
The first three times I read this passage in three different translations, I didn't really get it. What were the old and new commands? I was a bit confused. I found the old command in Leviticus 19:18. It reads, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Simply written, it is the earliest appearance on this subject. In the New Testament, it is in many places, but the one closest to the Leviticus "old" command is in Romans 12:19. It reads similarly, "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."
So many times I have thought of these two commands, but found it hard to follow them. It reminds me of a fellow teacher I worked with that was very hard to get along with. He caused more than his share of issues at the school. Many times I wanted revenge on this teacher and I brought that sentiment home. After listening to the 30th or so times I complained about how this fellow teacher affected me negatively, my wife finally said that God is watching and that vengeance is His. Further she assured me that in the end the truth would come out and this teacher would get what is coming to him. Sure enough, the day came when he retired. They had an open house for him and very few people attended. You see, I was not the only person that his negative acts and attitude affected. I know it bothered that teacher greatly as he thought of himself as the most popular person at the school. The low attendance was proof that the two commands were very much true and I needed to heed them.
The key verses in this passage are verses 9-11. They say from the Message bible, "Anyone who claims to live in God’s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It’s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God’s light and doesn’t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn’t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness." Even though Jesus forgives Christians when they fall into the above sin, their lights don't seem to shine as brightly. People notice this dim light and wonder what happened.
Do you have someone that you have a grudge against? Does that feeling border on hate? Take heed of this passage. Ask God for forgiveness and pray for the person that bothers you. You will find that praying for an "enemy" will more than likely lessen the bad feelings and may even result in a newfound friendship.
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for these wise commands from your Word. Help us to understand that "vengeance is yours" not ours. Help us to pray for the irritating person and make us aware of your commands on the subject, both old and new. Thank you for forgiving our shortcomings. Amen!!
David, great teaching this morning. Thank you. We need each other, now more than ever. Relationships are important and healthy relationships give us peace.