Forgive seventy times seven?
Watchman Nee tells a story of a Chinese Christian who used to go to great pains to pump water from an irrigation stream into his rice field. Every night, his neighbor, whose fields were lower, would make a breach in the dividing wall and drain the Christian's water into his own fields. The theft was repeated frequently.
The Christian asked his friends fro advice about the right thing to do. A fellow believer advised that Christians ought to do something more than what is right.
The next few days, the Christian filled the neighbor's fields first before filling his own. The neighbor knew his acts were evil, but he was amazed at the Christian's nonresistance.
Good won out over evil. The neighbor soon became a Christian. He had observed a higher way.
Retaliation is the natural tendency when someone mistreats us. We often aim to ignore the wrong act or to over look it in love.
Let's do more than turn the other cheek and forgive seventy times seven! If someone critizes you, speak well of them in public. If a friend ignores you, go out of your way to be kind to them.
Repay evil for good!
Repaying Good for Evil Part 2 is found here.
Linking with Courtney for the Gentleness Challenge
I like that. And I (probably) needed it today ;)
ReplyDeleteI probably enjoy the last part of Romans 12.20 more than I should for it says that to repay evil with good is to heap burning coals on your enemies head!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely story. I hadn't heard it before but-- Wow! What a lesson, something to remember every day. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteLinda
That story was the perfect read for a situation in my life right now. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture! It goes well with theme of your post, especially since I have had a cat and a parakeet at the same time. Neither were willing to turn the other cheek though, let alone go the extra mile! :D
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Shanda!
Pam
2 Encourage
What a great idea and something to talk about with the family - thanks. sandie
ReplyDeleteThis is an area in which God has really helped me to grow over the last couple of years. I definitely tend to think of ways to retaliate, and allow my mind to dwell on the negatives! I recently wrote about this very issue when a friendship ended, and I felt God's gentle nudging to do more with the end of it than cultivate bitterness and resentment. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - such a great story to illustrate how good overcomes evil. Not always the easy way to go but must surely be the most rewarding. Great post my friend.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thank you for sharing your experiences, your heart, and this reminder! Wishing you all the best in 2012! Kindest regards.
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration to start the week. Thank you.
What a great response the farmer had! It is difficult to turn the other cheek, but when we do, hearts are softened!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
P.S. I love the picture! I instantly thought of a caption: Polly the Cat Slayer! lol Sorry...It's just such a cute picture!
What a great story. In fact, it made me think about some of my own actions lately :). Thanks for that. Grace is an amazing thing and it does change lives.
ReplyDeleteI love that story. I want to be like that farmer. I was just telling my son the other day, that the urge to punch someone was a hijacked call from God to pray for that person. He wasn't buying it. I think I'll try this story on him:)
ReplyDeleteconvicting words this day. and definitely not the easy way. but that's not what we're called to, is it?
ReplyDeletethanks so much for sharing this story.
Amen. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteoh so hard, but what a good word. would love to be able to consistently rise above and let Jesus be my defender.
ReplyDeleteOh so true. I love the photo. Reminds me of my dog and cat. They could tell us a few things. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sherry
To do more than what is right...this whispers a challenge to my soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder :) It seems as though it should be so simple, yet it isn't always. I need to hear these parables every now and then.
ReplyDeleteHello Shanda,
ReplyDeleteTurning the other cheek..
Repaying evil with good...
Doing more than what is right...
Your story and reminders of the better way to handle situations are much appreciated.
God Bless
Barb from Australia
Such a wonderful message, Shanda!
ReplyDeleteTo go beyond what would be thought right, and to serve the other whether they deserve it or not, is to be Christ in the world.
It can be so easily forgotten..thank you for reminding us!
And for linking to LACE.
Have a blessed week..Trish
Hi, I'm visiting from SDG. Thank you for an encouraging post! In our loud and cranky culture, our light will shine all the brighter if we respond in love.
ReplyDelete