Living Life as a Reflection of Christ’s Love
Saturday’s Verse:
From Proverbs 10:12 ESV
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
I was talking with a gentleman on Friday who was so angry about President Trump for one reason or another that he wished the Iranians had shot down Air Force One with him on board. Staring at him, I told him that evil thoughts like that were bad for his soul. He looked at me and said he didn’t care.
Sad. Really sad.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” teaches that what we carry in our hearts spills into our words and relationships. Because hatred does not stay contained, it fans suspicion, sharpens arguments, and turns neighbors into enemies. By contrast, love does not pretend sin is harmless, but it chooses mercy over revenge and peace over escalation.
For Christians, this is not merely a moral suggestion; it is a reflection of Christ's love for us. The Lord covered our offenses not by ignoring them, but by bearing them at the cross and forgiving us freely. Because we have received that mercy, we are called to speak with restraint, pray for rulers and opponents alike, and refuse the easy pleasure of bitter speech.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus Christ, guard my heart from hatred and my tongue from strife. Teach me to love as You have loved me, to speak truth without contempt, and to seek peace even when I disagree. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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