Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse”. This verse is not a behavioral command, it is a heart command that has behavioral consequences that benefit a specific group of people. To bless someone is about more than refraining from retaliation or revenge, but it is about speaking well, praying for, and doing good to those who have previously caused you pain. This can only be accomplished if our hearts are changed and the bitterness and anger that is natural, expected, and warranted is replaced with love, prayer, and forgiveness that
is unwarranted, supernatural, and unexpected. Here is how we can do this. Romans 5:8 explains, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We act toward others how Jesus acted toward us. When we do this, several things happen.
1.) Getting even is replaced with giving when it is odd. 2.) Instead of keeping score, we create win-win situations. 3.) We experience in our own lives that love and forgiveness never has a loser. To get started, pray this simple prayer as it relates to those who have damaged you in the past, “God, do for them what I want you to do for me”. You pray this prayer over a period of
time and everyone in the situation will change. Stay close to Jesus. Pastor Bryce
