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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Taming the Rebel Heart
"If a soldier forces you to walk with him one mile, then go
with him two miles."
-- Matthew 5:41 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
A bitter-hearted rebel lives in many of us. We hate it when someone
takes advantage of us. We view the lane-changing, frenzied, aggressive
driver as a jerk and sometimes look to get even with him or her. This
bitter-hearted rebel also lived in many Jewish hearts. When Roman
soldiers imposed on them to carry their equipment, they resented it
deeply. Jesus reminds us, however, that his Kingdom Family reorders all
human relationships. Jesus wants us to ask, "How can I be a redemptive
blessing even toward those who mistreat me?" His challenging commands
awaken us to our responsibility. We are to lead others to Jesus, even
those others that we don't particularly like. Incredibly, the impetuous
Peter learned this lesson and taught the churches in Asia Minor the
same principle. Even more incredibly, the apostle Paul was the product
of a movement who sought to convert, not condemn, its greatest
opponents and oppressors. But then, the heart of the Kingdom is to
follow a King who forgave his persecutors, revilers, and murderers at
Passover so they could become his disciples at Pentecost.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Compassionate Father, please give me the grit and grace to act
redemptively in the lives of even those who are irritants, opponents,
and problems in my life. Through your Spirit, soften my heart that I
might see your goal of winning the most difficult people in my life to
Christ, rather than trying to get even with them. In Jesus' holy and
precious name I pray. Amen.
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0303-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+5:41&sr=1&t=erv
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