My sister and I have a history of not getting along well. We fight a lot. As a matter of fact, there was no day that we wouldn’t have an argument. But when maturity kicked in and God came in the picture, I learned that I must love even my enemies,
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” - Luke 6:27-31
exert how much patience is needed,
“Love is patient, love is kind “ - 1 Corinthians 13:4
have compassion for them because we all need His grace,
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32
and that love is action.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18)
Therefore, even if I don’t feel like loving my sister, I have to do it. Why? Because God said,
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:44-45
Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High - Luke 6:35
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4: 20)
And where do all liars go and what do they experience?
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. - Revelation 21:8
Surely, I don’t want us to end up in Hell just because of our petty fights. And I realized that obedience to God is the application of His teachings in your life; so I came up with this idea: once a month, we go out together to buy our grocery stuff, eat dinner somewhere and watch a movie or pamper at our favorite salon. We don’t talk about each others’ lives that much but at least we get to share common interests once in awhile.
Today we did that. As usual, we went to Market! Market! Ayala Mall to buy some goods for our Singapore trip. Then we had our hair cut at Kevin’s Cut. And before we went home, we had dinner at Kenny Rogers Roasters.
Kenny’s Famous Chicken & Muffin + Red Tea
By the way, this date was the first time we went out together that we did not have any misunderstanding. None at all! Everything went smoothly.Praise God! :)
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Moving to God’s will is not an easy step, but it’s worth it. Take one step at a time :) until you realize God’s already holding your right hand, walking with you.
