Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Resurrected Christ who Encourages the Dispirited (Marks of a True Christian)  

Romans 12: 9-21

 As we continue in the Lenten season, we are called to reflect on what it means to follow Christ.  The world teaches us to be self-seeking and focus on what we want. However, in Romans  Chapter 12, Paul describes the marks of a true Christians. He teaches us to love each other and  honor others (vs 10), to be generous to others (vs 13), and to live in peace with others (vs 16).  Paul specifically instructs us to not be vengeful, that we are to place our angry desire for payback  in God's hands. This is the key to overcoming evil and breaking out of the cycle of evil for evil –  giving the agenda of justice or payback over to God. He can fight for us and judge our enemies  according to His will.  
It is easy for us to become bitter and upset when someone wrongs us, whether it's when someone  cuts us off when we are driving or when we are treated unfairly at work. But Jesus shows us  another way, the way of love and peace. For when Jesus’s enemies sought to kill Him, He  endured the harm and suffering of the cross and returned good for evil. And in doing so He  shows us how to overcome evil with good. He wasn’t overcome with vengeance when He was on  the cross, but extended grace and forgiveness to His persecutors. He overcame through the power  of love. God continuously offers God's grace to Christians and evildoers even though we do not  deserve it. We need God’s grace to overcome evil through the power of love.  
Even when you think someone may deserve a negative response for an action, choose instead to  respond positively.  
Followers of Christ, we need to overcome hatred with love. It is easier said than done. But it is  our Christian responsibility to show this grace so people will see the mercy and love of Christ.  And even if we fail to follow this command, we can always come back to the foot of the cross in  repentance and receive His grace to keep living in the image of God.  
 
Prayer
Dear Father, God of the lowly and broken, help me to live in harmony with others. Help me to  show grace and forgiveness even when I am wronged.  

Thought for the Day
Are we ready to intentionally be slow to anger and abounding in love?  

Lalu Thomas  
Chicago Mar Thoma Church, Des Plaines, Illinois

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