Don't Seek Revenge - Dennis Burke Ministries

When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus answered:

“…And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30 31 NKJV).

In all of our pursuit to grow in God there is nothing greater than keeping our love for Him and His people burning hot. It is the most spiritual and powerful pursuit we can desire.

The God-kind of love comes out in many ways: our words, our giving, and our interest in others all express the love in our hearts. Love is not afraid to be vulnerable. Love is not guarded. It doesn’t keep score, nor is it wrapped up in accomplishments. Love is forgiving, kind, and looks for ways of lifting others up. Joseph demonstrated this God-kind of love toward the brothers who betrayed him. After Joseph’s father died, his brothers feared Joseph would retaliate against them. They asked Joseph, “‘Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.’ And Joseph wept when they spoke to him” (Genesis 50:17). What these brothers never knew was Joseph had walked with God all of these years and had forgiven them of the pain they caused him. He now possessed the power to repay them in the same way they treated him. He valued the relationship and the dream of God more than the sense of revenge.

Notice Genesis 50:18-21, “Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’ Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (NKJV).

Joseph was the most powerful man on earth under Pharaoh; yet, he spoke kindly to them and comforted them. He remained tender and forgiving. His words and his actions revealed his heart.

In the dangerous days in which we live, the Holy Spirit is drawing us close to His presence. It is a place of love, protection, and security. We have received these things freely from Him, and we must give freely to one another.

The following Scriptures say it clearly:

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…” (1 Peter 1:22 NKJV).
First Timothy 1:5, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (NKJV).
First Thessalonians 3:12, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you” (NKJV).
Galatians 5:13, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (NKJV).
First Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done with love” (NKJV).

We cannot let our love grow cold.

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Don’t Seek Revenge

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