Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[PeterJens]

Paul gave in romans a whole passage on how we should live, our attitude to others
and to ourselves.

Romans 12:9-21
*****************
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.


Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.


Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On 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.”


Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
*****************

What is clear is this is about choice, attitude, trust, direction. It is active and not
passive, directional and intentional. It does not just happen, it is saying live like this.

When I listen to some it is like they feel anything relating to choice and action is wrong,
rather than this is the outflow of love from the heart.

This is so counter cultural, people avoid passages like this, because they disregard Paul
as a man of his time, rather than reflecting a life reality in Christ.

 

[PeterJens]

Open hearts

I shared with my kids about walking with an open heart.

One said, yuk, that is so christian.
The talked about being a victim of others and being too honest.

The first question is, is this what Jesus was?
The second is though we share our hearts, does this mean we are vulnerable
or rather we can empathise and can see where people are coming from?

If you stand objective, without ones own agenda, seeing need, without anger,
frustration, bitterness, pain, or hurt, then things become a lot clearer and simpler.

There are so many excuses, yet to know this place of freedom is to walk with God.

 

[PeterJens]

You see what you want to see

I have come to realise scripture is so full of emotional realities, we can only take on board
to the level we ourselves have reached.

If you are closed down and love is something you need, but can barely give, then the
verses that speak to this will speak to you.

Ones that talk about sharing with others, you will quickly pass over because they
mean nothing to you, and remind you of how empty you really are inside.

So a heavily defended heart will never agree with an open heart approach because
all the pain and need would be exposed, and never met. So ofcourse most will never
admit or aspire to an open heart approach until they are cleansed, healed, filled and
over flowing.

It is why this is not a popular place, though it is where Christ lives.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Emotional empathy, understanding, getting alongside, being with people in their lives.