I'm Conflicted . . . But Forgiven

walking in epiphany truth  

Some of this may sound familiar, if you read my special wednesday 1/25 edition of my mental health monday blog. I was expressing how conflicted I felt re:  how I respond to those who've been "Facebooking" in support of the recent women's protest marches. Here's what I wrote with a few revisions, which have been bold-faced.

Today's Truth from Scripture (Romans 12) & my devotional thoughts *

* A quick reminder. I capitalize "Truth from Scripture," because God's Word is Truth. I choose not to capitalize "devotional thoughts," because I do not pretend that my thoughts are equivalent to God's Truth. I pray that my insights are truthful & offer you some insight into scripture. I always welcome your feedback.

• "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (v. 9) [Abortion is evil. I am convinced that calling it for what it is the right thing to do.]
• "Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse." (v. 14) [Making snarky comments in response to those who advocate for abortion rights & Planned Parenthood--that is equivalent to cursing others. I am genuinely sorry for that & must try to do better."
• "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (v. 16) [Living in disharmony is a contradiction of my Christian values. Those who have other values than mine are NOT people of low position. My volunteer work on behalf of Orphan Grain Train is service on behalf of people whom the world judges to be in low position. God does NOT judge these people to be "of low position." Neither do I. There are many passages in the Bible which state that God exalts these people.]
• "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." (v.17) [It is God's role to repay evil for evil, not mine.]
• "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (v. 19) [My opinion is that God's judgment MAY be harshest on those who entice women or even force women to abort their unborn babies.]
• "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (vv. 20a, 21) [When I start letting the negative overwhelm the positive, I am letting evil overcome good. This leads me to reflect on whether I've been spending too much time on political content on the Internet & in newspapers lately . . . again.]

Some additional devotional thoughts *

* Source:  A Year in the New Testament-Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year, p. 23. (Concordia Publishing House), 2001.

"The new life that you have through Baptism is Christ's own life. This is a life that does not seek to "pay back" others for the wrongs they do you as Christ does not 'pay us back' for the wrongs we did to Him. Rather, it is a life that blesses those who make your life miserable; rejoices with those who rejoice; weeps with those who weep. It is a life of harmony where haughtiness has no place--how can it when you are but a poor sinner who lives only from the saving mercy of God in Christ? Instead of giving yourself airs, you consider what is honorable, & as far as you possibly can, live at peace with all. A person may well be your enemy in their estimation of you, but your estimation of them is that they are poor sinners in need of mercy & so you seek to serve them in any way you can. The cardinal rule of the new life is simply this; do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good . . . "

Today's prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me, a poor miserable sinner, to be Your child. Forgive me for my haughtiness in judging others to be less worthy of your love. May I remember to love others not just as myself but as You love me; and You gave up Your life for me. May I give up my life in service to others. Amen.