Christian Action, 34of39

~ Do Not Take Revenge ~

Series Note  ~  In just the single chapter of Romans 12 the Apostle Paul gave believers a list of 39 things which are part of the Christian life which pleases God.  This chapter is crying out saying, “If you name Jesus Christ as your Savior then please act like a Christian!”  It is Paul’s “To Do List” for us.  The key principle is that while you and I cannot change God’s character (who He really is) we have the clear potential to damage His reputation (what others think He is). 

Scripture to Meditate On  ~  “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves” (Romans 12:19a).

Comment  ~  Anyone who is unforgiving, condemning, or unloving does not understand the Cross of Calvary.

Related Passages  ~  “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense” (Deuteronomy 32:35a).

“Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.  Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).

“For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.  And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30-31).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Was…, 7

~ Jesus Christ Was Witnessed by The Multitudes ~

Passage  ~  “Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.  For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, ‘You see that you are accomplishing nothing.  Look, the world has gone after Him!’” (John 12:17-19).

“Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Truly this is the Prophet.’  Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’  But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee?  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’  So there was a division among the people because of Him.  Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.  Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?’  The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’” (John 7:40-46).

Significance  ~  In addition to these passages the Gospel historical accounts relate many times when crowds witnessed the supernatural power of Jesus Christ (for example the feeding of the 5,000 men plus women and children).

Comment  ~  Remember the many who witnessed Jesus Christ alive following His resurrection.  “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Salvation, 24

~ Your Debt Has Been Paid… Go Claim It! ~

Salvation is not a Reward for the Righteous.

It is an available Gift for those who understand their Guilt!

Debt Should Be Avoided  ~  “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).  Jesus said, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.  Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:23-26).

The Debtor Is Under The Creditor’s Power  ~  “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).  “A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord.  And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves’” (2 Kings 4:1).

Debt May Be Paid By A Friend  ~  “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.  I, Paul, am writing with my own hand.  I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides” (Philemon 18-19).

Sin Is A Huge Debt  ~  “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.  But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made” (Matthew 18:23-25).  “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

We Can Never Pay Sin’s Debt  ~  “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).  “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psalm 130:3-4).

Our Sin Debt Was Paid At Great Price  ~  “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).   

When Paid Debt Is Cancelled Forever  ~  “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .