Daily Devotional: No Excuses Bible reading: Romans 12:17-21 Dont just pretend that you love others. Really love them - (Romans 12:9a, NLT). People make all kinds of excuses: It was a moment of weakness. It was temporary insanity. It just slipped out! The devil made me do it. I didnt know the gun was loaded. I was pushed. His face hit my fist! Youve heard `em all before. Maybe youve even used one or two yourself (admit it, now!). The making of excuses goes way back to the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit: Adam said, Hey! That woman you put here with me--she gave it to me. I just did what she told me to do! And Eve said, It wasnt my fault! The serpent made me do it! Thousands of years later, we still havent learned. We still make excuses for our behavior, especially when our behavior is unloving. She deserved it, we say. He had it coming. He hit me first. She wouldve done the same thing to me. Why should I love him when he doesnt love me? You get the idea. But no matter how many excuses we use, theres no excuse for getting even with someone or treating them in an unloving way. Oh, I know, so-and-so did this to you. And whats-his-name doesnt deserve to be treated nicely. But the Bible says, Dont just pretend that you love others. Really love them . . . . Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . .[and] never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, `I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it, says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: `If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you. Dont let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good - (Romans 12:9a, 18-21, NLT). Oh, I know its hard. Itd be much easier to make excuses. But love is whats right. Love is always right. Review: When Paul wrote, Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . .[and] never avenge yourselves, he was writing to Christians who may have faced persecution, imprisonment, even death because they were Christians. Do you think it would have been hard for them to obey Gods Word not to pay back evil for evil? Why or why not? Reflect: We all have tried to justify wrong behavior by making excuses. What excuses have you made for not treating someone with love? Are you making excuses to justify wrong behavior now? If so, what should you do instead of making excuses? Remember: Dont let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good - (Romans 12:21, NLT). Prayer: Almighty God, help me not to make excuses to justify my behavior, like when I ______________. Help me instead to do what is right, even when its hard. . . . . . . . Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:39:34 +0000
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