I want to do something a little different tonight. This is a signigicant date - sept. 11. A terrible thing happened today, one year ago. Terrible things happen every day. Things happen to us, to our families, to our friends. People do evil things to other people. It's the way of things in this sick and fallen world. You'd think we would be used to that.

What are we about though? Are we about those evil things? As children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus - are we about getting back at those who do evil things? We should think about that very seriously. We should be very serious about what we think the Kingdom of God is all about.

I want us to go over a few scriptures on this significant day and talk about them. I'm not sure if many people will be focusing on these scriptures today, but we are.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.

Matt. 5:38-48 (Lev. 19:18 > love your "countrymen", hate your enemies)
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Ephesians 6:12-13
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

> How hard are these sayings to you?

> What do we do with these principles?

> What might need to change in your outlook upon deeply considering these things?

| posted by + Alan | 11:29 AM | |