1 Peter 3:9 (NIV®)
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
I’ll tell you what I’ve discovered as a born-again, Spirit-filled, Bible-reading, prayer-offering Christ follower: self will never cease its demands. Even as Christians, our selfish natures continue to scream, “I’m important! Look at me!” We’re all hard-wired that way. It’s possible to sit in church week after week after week, read our Bibles, pray, serve, and still be occupied with self. That’s why Biblical concepts like forgiveness and mercy and grace are so profound when the injustices and the sufferings of life touch us. Without the help of the God-perspective, we’re filled with anger, bitterness, and resentment. And those things hold us captive, not the person who has wronged us. When we are able to forgive, when we make a conscious, selfless decision to say, “It isn’t all about me. I forgive you,” we are set free to receive God’s blessing.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to make daily decisions to crucify my selfish nature. I’m sorry for being focused on my own self and not others. Remind me when I have an opportunity to put others first. I thank You that You are faithful to help me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
