In a culture that wants to control us by hating others… reject it. Rooted and grounded in God’s love, by our words and our actions, and His command to love others, we share His love with everyone we meet. For God so loved the world that He gave His sinless life in exchange for ALL of us.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
We are able to love others because God first loved us! Carla
The Thessalonians had to face the fact that some of them were not living as Christians should, but were unruly. They needed to be warned about their behavior. Some were fainthearted and needed comfort. The congregation should also uphold the weak and be patient toward all, recognizing that all Christians have faults. To be most effective in promoting positive change in people’s lives, believers should respond to individuals according to each one’s particular needs.
For a Christian to try to get revenge is a denial of basic Christian love (Romans 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9), and it goes against Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 5:38–42; 18:21–35). The NKJV Study Bible
The Thessalonians may have been tempted to retaliate against those who persecuted them. Paul advises them against this (Matthew 5:39–40; Romans 12:19). Believers must extend to others (believers and unbelievers) the same goodness the Lord has shown them. Faithlife Study Bible
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–7 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Have you read Old Turtle and the Broken Truth, by Douglas Wood?
The children’s book tells an imaginary story of how the world came to be so fragmented when it is meant to be whole, and how we might put it back together again.
In a far-away land that "is somehow not so far away," one night a truth falls from the stars. And as it falls, it breaks into two pieces—one piece blazes off through the sky and the other falls straight to the ground.
One day a "truth" falls from the sky and breaks.
One day a man stumbles upon the gravity-drawn truth, and finds carved on it the words, "You are loved."
It makes him feel good, so he keeps it and shares it with the people in his tribe. The thing sparkles and makes the people who have it feel warm and happy. It becomes their most prized possession, and they call it "The Truth." Those who have the truth grow afraid of those who don't have it, who are different than they are. And those who don't have it covet it. Soon people are fighting wars over the small truth, trying to capture it for themselves.
A little girl who is troubled by the growing violence, greed, and destruction in her once peaceful world goes on a journey-through the Mountains of Imagining, the River of Wondering Why, and the Forest of Finding Out—to speak with Old Turtle, the wise counselor. Old Turtle tells her that the Truth is broken and missing a piece, a piece that shot off in the night sky so long ago.
Together they search for it, and when they find it, the little girl puts the jagged piece in her pocket and returns to her people. She tries to explain, but no one will listen or understand. Finally, a raven flies the broken truth to the top of a tower where the other piece has been ensconced for safety, and the rejoined pieces shine their full message: "You are loved / and so are they."
And the people begin to comprehend. And the earth begins to heal.
How is this possible? “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.” (from Paul’s Letter to the Romans)
There is in every one of us an inherent dignity that no one can give you, and that no one can take away.
And this I know: forgetting (or not embracing) the love that has been “poured in our hearts”, we give way to fear. It is no surprise that we clutch “our narrative” as a kind of protection, and we live distrustful and guarded. Sadly, with time, becoming callous (cold-hearted) and resentful.
So. Here’s the deal: once we see our connectedness, we have to let go of the narrative that divorces us. The voice of Mr. Rogers helps us, “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, ‘It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” Sabbath Moments
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