Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (Romans 12:14) How to treat those who hate you Brother Paul, in Romans 12, gives a number of instructions to the saints in Rome, beginning in verse one with the exhortation to “… present your bodies
When we bless our persecutors we do it for ourselves as much as for them! I’ve been an activist for more than 30 years now, and I have to acknowledge that it was only a couple of years ago, that I finally understood the need
On my recent birthday, I received a card from one of my fundamentalist relatives. As usual I was happy to get it; and preparing to read of the goings on of my family on the other side of the country as well as a birthday
The wave of heat and humidity of a July day in Kansas City swept over my body and filled my lungs as I left the hotel. Blessedly, it was a short walk to the convention center, where I was a delegate to the combined General
Following Jesus is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright difficult. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches on the proper attitude toward those who use and abuse, persecute, and take advantage of us. Verses 38 – 48 are devoted to this topic. In verses
Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, Edinburgh, Scotland February 18, 2001 Readings: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38 We spend a lot of time up here at this lectern preaching about love. Love God with all your heart and all
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, There is a field. I’ll meet you there.” — Rumi When I was in college, a private and conservative institution, an unusual and impromptu revival occurred on campus. For several days, the school’s chapel was packed for hours
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12 As Christians, when unbelievers persecute us, it is easy to feel
Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta, Ga. Readings: Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:14-18; Matthew 5:11-12, 38-48 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (Romans 12:14) Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
A sermon delivered at the Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities worship service Psalms and Lessons (Series C, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost): Psalm 138, Genesis 18:20-32, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13 Offertory: Psalm 84:3-4 Wrestling with the text “Who decided I should preach on August 17th?” That was my