NOT GETTING EVEN--
BROTHERLY KINDNESS
Scripture Reading--Colossians 3:12-17
As a young person, I remember hearing, "Do unto others before they do unto you and split!" That seemed to be the attitude of those who were just plain obnoxious. Another statement was, "I'll be good to you if you will be good to me." Those words express the attitude of those who wanted everybody to be fair with everybody else. One other statement went like this: "I'll get even with you. Just wit and see!" This statement reflects the attitude of those who live for revenge. Unfortunately, many self-centered people demonstrate vengeful feelings toward others. Romans 12:19 says, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." In our dog-eat-dog world, we need to learn about the way Jesus treated others.
Jesus was mistreated during His life here on earth. He was rejected, threatened, hated, and ultimately crucified. Yet never once did He seek to get even with His enemies. Rather, He loved them, prayed for them, and even died for them.
When the mob went to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Him, He refused to fight. In the midst of unfairness and injustice, Jesus refused to retaliate. Peter grabbed a sword and tried to behead a member of the mob, but Jesus restored the ear on the head Peter had tried to cut off. Jesus refused to retaliate against those who had fought against Him in His earthly ministry. He could have evened the score easily, but He understood His ministry to save them.
Jesus example shows us what being kind means. Like Him, we must learn to do good--to go out of our way to help and to minister to those around us. When people see an attitude of kindness, they'll see the reality of Christ being lived through our lives.
APPLICATION: When was the last time someone hurt or offended you? How should you respond to him?
--Tom Palmer--
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