Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 237

August 25;     I Thessalonians 5:15;      187/260(IV);      ‘Pursue What is Good’

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

As Christians we have a different and better way to live.  The Lord created us and knows what will bless us and curse us.  Revenge destroys peace and your health.  The constant, destructive thoughts of getting even with someone, deprives a person of sleep and fries our nerves to a frazzle.  Ephesians 4:32 teaches that since the Lord Jesus forgave us, we should forgive others.  Jesus Christ put His love in us.  He has told us that He would never leave us nor forsake us.  No one would love you more and the way Jesus did.  He asked His Father to forgive all of us from the cross since we ‘know not what we do.’  As Christians, by the Word of God and prayer, we can decide what we will do and how we respond to others.  Our value and worth comes from our Lord. Living a life that is pleasing to Him should be our desire.  He never looked to get even with the religious leaders who treated Him so cruelly.  Jesus wept over them when He came to Jerusalem as the time of His sacrificial work drew near.  Treating others with the love of God, when they know that they have done us wrong, and watching their response is so exciting.  Jesus, by treating us with love and forgiveness is a perfect Example of how we are to live our lives.  Jesus Christ has given us everything.  It is an honor to follow His Example and be better than you ever thought that you could be.  Love never fails and by responding to another person as our Lord would, it is a very powerful witness to them.  Trust the Lord.  His ways work.  We are free to be free.