THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 25
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat…” (Proverbs 25:21)
This proverbs seems contrary to us, but it reveals the wisdom of God.
God’s Way is not anger, violence or revenge, but grace, mercy, sacrifice.
Jesus follows this wisdom, and models God’s Way of kindness over hate.
Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, etc.
God created us in His image, to rule His kingdom by living His Way.
Humans stopped living this Way, and became selfish, cruel and immoral.
Jesus comes as Adam, to live, love and lead the way God made us.
In this way He beats Satan, and frees humanity from Satan’s grip.
While I was His enemy, He feeds me grace, mercy, peace and kindness.
He restores me, and helps me by His Spirit to learn to live His Way!
Paul explains the Jesus Way at length, using Proverbs 25:21 (Romans 12:17-21).
This is the life we were made for, and saved for, and equipped for.
The Spirit in us is working to produce this fruit (Galatians 5:22-25).
But do I want to live this Way, to bless my enemy and serve my abuser?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I was Your enemy and You helped me; help me to see that my enemies need Your grace too.
I nee.d to see the presence of God each day. I see this beautiful creation and yet its beauty will be surpassed by what I do not see since I see all through a glass darkly. And in order to see His presence I need to walk in His Way.
His will. Not mine.
The words I say must be guarded – self-controlled. I think of the saying ‘Bite your tongue’ to help me think before I speak and in this way live at peace with all mankind. Get along with all others is a challenge but with Him living in me I can do great things. He makes it a possibility.
Living for Jesus and not for myself.
Living the JOY principle – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.