Title: Forgive those who trouble you
The Apostle Paul, who in chapter 1 slandered Paul and argued in a strong and straightforward way against those who had disturbed the church, came to chapter 2 and said, “If anyone has troubled them, forgive them!” In contrast, he has a gentle and kind demeanor. There were some repentant people among them when he severely rebuked those who disturbed the church and framed Paul through 1 Corinthians. How will you treat them? I urge them to forgive them. Today, I want to share the grace of thinking with you under the theme of . There will be no one in the world without enemies or haters. However, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to forgive those who have accused us and disturbed the church.
How could the Apostle Paul say to forgive those who persecuted him?
(1) As I pondered deeply in prayer, I had more time to think and I came to understand God's will clearly. Paul was a human too, so he reacted a bit radically at first. Some time has passed between chapters 1 and 2. As time passed, our anger and injustice turned into the subject of prayer. It is also wise to wait for some time to pass when there is an argument.
(2) He looked back on his own past.
When I didn't know Jesus right away, I saw myself in the past when I took the lead in catching and killing those who believed in Jesus zealously. So they started to look pitiful, and I wanted to help them be forgiven rather than condemned. The first words that flowed from the lips of Jesus hanging on the cross were a prayer of forgiveness for those who harmed him. Is there anyone who just can't understand? I hope that the heartbreaking heart of compassion for the soul as I think of myself before I met Jesus will rise like fire.
(3) Paul has already forgiven me. Could you also exhort me to forgive? Because this was God's command. The reason the Bible should forgive even our enemies is because the Bible tells us to love our enemies. Only then can you become children of God who is in heaven.
how to forgive
In Romans 12:19-21, it teaches us how to forgive our enemies and how to overcome them.
First, my beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay (Romans 12:19).
Second, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink, so that you will heap coals of coals on his head (verse 20). Then you can turn your enemies into friends.
Third, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (verse 21).
You must not be defeated by evil. You can't avoid it either. You have to fight. You must not fight evil with evil. We must overcome evil with good.
reason for forgiveness
Why should I forgive them? Paul says in today's text 2:11, that we should not be deceived by Satan. It's not that we don't know the scheme
This is because if you do not forgive and condemn them and drive them out of the church, you will be deceived by Satan. Heresy and false prophets entered the Ephesian church. While fighting against them to defeat them, the church in Ephesus lost its first love. If you fight against evil with a just heart and stop losing love, you are deceived by Satan. That is why I am asking you not to repay evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good.
concluding remarks
The Bible is absolutely demanding of us to love. The world is demanding a higher level of love than we could ever imagine. Even in relationships with enemies, even in situations where it is impossible to love, we are told not to take revenge, but rather to show love. The reason God demands love so thoroughly is because God is love. When we hate someone and have an evil heart, when our heart is full of revenge, we lose the image of a child of God who has already been justified by faith. We give homework to all the saints in the preface this week. I hope that you will overcome all hatred with love.