Lately, I've been thinking about how to repay hatred. I had a conversation with my little 7 year old girl yesterday. We were talking about what to do when people are mean to you. I told her of a time when I played a joke on one of my good buddies...
It was moments before the OU title game was about to start. I called him and told him my wife needed help because the pipes in our house had broken and there was water all inside the house. I was out of town so I asked him for help. I heard the silence on the other end of the phone...you see, this guy is probably the BIGGEST OU fan ever, so there was, obviously, some hesitation. But a few moments later, he put on his best friend voice and offered help. I told him that I was messing with him. I told Liv, that was not nice...but it was funny.
Then, I told her that what you do comes back around. A few months later, While I was out of town, our washer overflowed and there was water all inside the house. I called him. He thought it was a joke. After several minutes of urging he finally believed me. To top it all off, he actually helped my wife. He's one of the best Guys that I've ever met. "I had that coming to me," I told my daughter.
After explaining the depth of my well-crafted joke and God's equally well-crafted come-uppance, the point was to not repay evil with evil. I told Don't be mean to someone just because they've been mean to you. (or cleverly funny, in my case...of course I can't say that to my daughter...) She may have understood, but it may take a few more conversations for it to stick.
Now, to practical application. http://www.xxxchurch.com/ is a community devoted to sharing God's love with Everyone. Jesus Loves Porn Stars is their motto. You can click on the link and read all about it, but one specific stop on their Jesus Loves You tour was in at the Westboro Baptist Church...you know, the ones who say that God hates America and God hates F*GS? They decided to stop in and repay Hatred with Love. You can watch it here.
http://www.facebook.com/#/video/video.php?v=509946322748
The point is, that Paul Says in Romans 12 verses 14 thru to the end says,
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Some good thoughts. Because, lately, I've been thinking about Repaying hatred...
It was moments before the OU title game was about to start. I called him and told him my wife needed help because the pipes in our house had broken and there was water all inside the house. I was out of town so I asked him for help. I heard the silence on the other end of the phone...you see, this guy is probably the BIGGEST OU fan ever, so there was, obviously, some hesitation. But a few moments later, he put on his best friend voice and offered help. I told him that I was messing with him. I told Liv, that was not nice...but it was funny.
Then, I told her that what you do comes back around. A few months later, While I was out of town, our washer overflowed and there was water all inside the house. I called him. He thought it was a joke. After several minutes of urging he finally believed me. To top it all off, he actually helped my wife. He's one of the best Guys that I've ever met. "I had that coming to me," I told my daughter.
After explaining the depth of my well-crafted joke and God's equally well-crafted come-uppance, the point was to not repay evil with evil. I told Don't be mean to someone just because they've been mean to you. (or cleverly funny, in my case...of course I can't say that to my daughter...) She may have understood, but it may take a few more conversations for it to stick.
Now, to practical application. http://www.xxxchurch.com/ is a community devoted to sharing God's love with Everyone. Jesus Loves Porn Stars is their motto. You can click on the link and read all about it, but one specific stop on their Jesus Loves You tour was in at the Westboro Baptist Church...you know, the ones who say that God hates America and God hates F*GS? They decided to stop in and repay Hatred with Love. You can watch it here.http://www.facebook.com/#/video/video.php?v=509946322748
The point is, that Paul Says in Romans 12 verses 14 thru to the end says,
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Some good thoughts. Because, lately, I've been thinking about Repaying hatred...
