Yes, we sing with great joy that God no longer condemns us, but let’s keep in mind the Lord’s message to us from Matthew 18:21-35. We have been forgiven, why do we then go out of our way to condemn others? How many times did our Lord say that we should love our neighbour and our enemy. Do not repay evil with evil, but with goodness. If your enemy is hungry, feed him, not stone him with hateful accusations.
We often read the scriptures to say what we think they should say according to our own understanding. For example, Exodus 33:19: Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” And then we mentally add, “and will smite mightily the ungodly rest”. But it doesn’t say that. God says He will have grace and compassion – that’s it! Remember the Spirit gives life, it is the Law that kills.
And yet many churches still go out and accuse people of being nothing but condemned sinners that must be punished by a wrathful God. This is not loving your neighbour! This is condemnation. So let us not be satans, bringing accusations against others, but let us be images of God, loving and generous. Remember, that ‘there is therefore no condemnation’ in you towards others, as God does not condemn you.
From the Mirror Bible, Romans 12:9-21, “Love without any hidden agenda. Utterly detest evil; be glued to good. Take tender care of one another with fondness and affection; esteem one another’s unique value. Do not allow any hesitation to interrupt the rhythm of your zeal; capture the moment; maintain the boiling-point intensity of spirit devotion to the Lord. Delight yourself in the pleasure of expectation; prayer prevails victoriously under pressure.
Purpose with resolve to treat strangers as saints; pursue and embrace them with fondness as friends on equal terms of fellowship. Make yourself useful in the most practical way possible. Continue to speak well even if someone wants to take advantage of you; bless and do not blame when you feel exploited. Do not merely act the role in someone else’s gladness or grief; feel with them in genuine joy and compassion.
Esteem everyone with the same respect; no one is more important than the other. Associate yourself rather with the lowly rather than with the lofty. Do not distance yourself from others in your own mind.
Two wrongs do not make a right. Never retaliate; instead, cultivate the attitude to anticipate only beauty and value in every person you encounter. You have within you what it takes to be everyone’s friend, regardless of how they treat you. Do not bother yourselves to get even, dear ones. Do not let anger or irritation distract you; that which we have in common with one another must set the pace. Scripture confirms that the Lord himself is the revealer of righteousness.
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. These acts of kindness will be like heaping coals of fire on his head and certainly rid him of the dross in his mind and win him as a friend.
Do not let evil be an excuse for you to feel defeated, rather seize the opportunity to turn the situation into a victory for good”.
