Scripture – Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love you neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”

 Observation – A large part of the law is about ‘loving your neighbour”. The Lord in this verse and surrounding verses wants to protect us as much as our neighbour. He knows that vengeance, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, tale-bearing and grudges hurt us too. We may need to reprove a neighbour but it needs to be done in love and not with a vindictive, sinful attitude. Even in the O.T. there is plenty to show that God is a God of love who wants His people to live in love and deal with sin justly and fairly.

 Application – In the N.T. Jesus takes this further and commands us to love our enemies. To do all this we need an abundance of His grace and have a revelation of His mercy. Too quickly we want vengeance and hold grudges. This allows the old ways of our flesh to be in command. A society that loves only according to its emotions and prejudices will always lead to terrible consequences.

 Prayer – Lord I am so grateful for Your love, and so thankful that I have Your Spirit to lead and guide us. I know that I will be unfair and prejudiced without Your wisdom. Thank You for being in us. Help me to walk in You ways and to discern by the Spirit and to love my neighbour and even my enemy as myself.