“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis

+++

Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books (Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart). Thank you!

+++

Luke 9:52-56

On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

+++

Some things never change.

The Samaritans didn’t like the Jews and the Jews didn’t like the Samaritans due to religious differences.

So when the Samaritans rejected Jesus and his followers, James and John wanted to take revenge.

Not just a little revenge, but they wanted to “call down fire from heaven to consume them.”

They wanted them burned alive.

But there is no hint of revenge in Jesus.

He preached to love your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

He preached forgiveness always (Matthew 18:21-22).

Forgiveness is supposed to be an attribute of Christianity.

But his followers (at least the men) did not get it.

And we still don’t get it two-thousand years later.

We still sanction and even glorify retaliation and revenge.

This is not following Jesus.

What if we actually practiced what Jesus preached?

This is why I say we largely have “churchianity” where Christians practice going to church and turn a deaf ear to what Jesus actually said.

Non-violence, forgiveness, and compassion are very difficult teachings to follow, I know!

But how else will God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven?

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!