Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

Luke 6:27-36
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ… gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)





Paul’s words quoted above remind me of the astonishing reconciliation that has been taking place in Rwanda since the genocidal deaths of the Hutu and Tutsi people. Those responsible for the brutal killings certainly deserve harsh punishments – perhaps death – but the Rwandan government offers a healing alternative. Most people who publicly admit their guilt, confess the details, and apologize to the victim’s families become eligible to receive a reduced sentence.

I can only imagine having to see the agony of a family member’s face as I confess despicable actions and seek forgiveness. Even harder to imagine is looking at a person who viciously killed my loved one, hearing the gruesome details, and then asking the court to forgive him. Yet in many instances in Rwanda and other African countries, forgiveness is not only sought and granted but genuine reconciliation follows.

Some offenders do what they can to make amends – such as joining in rebuilding a community they destroyed or making financial provisions for a widow. These acts are marvelous signs of God’s grace and examples of what God asks of us. Whether an offense is huge or small, by us or against us, Christ calls us to be reconciled to one another.


Prayer:Dear Lord, grant us the determination to be reconciled with thos we have harmed or been harmed by. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Those who have not tried to forgive

Story shared by: D. Walker (WA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/6/11