In the sermon on the mount Jesus said,
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say, love your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, who makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. If you love the ones who love you, what reward do you have? The tax collectors do as much. If you only greet your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? You therefore be mature, as your heavenly Father is mature. Mathew 5:43-48
When those of the world misuse you or others take advantage of you -- how do you react? In considering your reaction it is good to consider Psalms 37.
The Psalmist wrote(Vs 1, 7-8):
Do not be upset because of evil-doers. Do not be envious of wicked workers. . . . Be still before Yahweh. Wait patiently for him. Do not be upset because of someone's success, nor because an evil-doer prospers. Refrain from anger and leave off wrath. No good comes from being upset.
What can help us in taking this course of action is following the Psalmists advice (vs3-5):
Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and seek truth. Delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desire of your heart. Commit your way to Yahweh. Put your trust in him, and he will take care of you.
However, this doesn't always mean the path is easy. It only means the Lord will take care of us. The Psalmist further writes (vs 23-24):
The steps of a righteous man are established by Yahweh, and he delights in his way. Though he falls, he will not be cast off, for Yahweh supports him with his hand.
As we live our lives in this world we need to remember we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We should be different. Our lives should be different and they should shine as a light to the world. As we face challenges we remember that "For those who Love God All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)
We are different -- as children of God we should shine in this world and the world should see we are not of this world. They should see the light shining in all we do. Our actions will cause those in the world to question themselves. For some they will be like Pharoh and harden their heart and to others this will cause them to question why we are different and seek a new path for their life.
All we can do is sow the seed of God's word. It will fall upon the hearts of man and God will give the increase.
Each of us should prayerfully seek to live the life that demonstrates we are God's children.
Behold what manner of love the Father has showered upon us that we should be called the sons of God -- and we are! I John 3:1.
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