Hurt People HURT People!

People are different, and it takes a whole lot of love to get along with others.

While we all know that Christians are supposed to love one another, still there can be a whole lot of slander, gossip, lying, etc. even in the church.

Even if someone hurts us we are to be imitators of Christ and not pay someone back for what they have done. Paul says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  (Rom 12:17) We should always be willing to apologize to others.

Forgiveness is a big part of the Christian life. In fact forgiveness is all throughout the teachings of Jesus and throughout the Epistles, since both Paul and Peter had to deal with the problems of the church. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in Christ.” (Eph 4:31-32)

We are to forgive just like God forgave us, and to put others before ourselves and to be mindful of what comes out of our mouth. Do what leads to peace and do all things for the glory of God.

Most people tend to look at how far the other person has to go rather than recognizing how far they’ve already come. If we knew how much someone has already overcome in life, we’d probably rejoice more with them rather than criticizing them for where they’re at now. We tend to think, “What is wrong with this person?” Instead, ask, “What happened to them?”

We all go through difficulties in life and some of them scar us. It’s easy to get hurt when we don’t live according to the laws of God. And in the end, hurt people hurt people. It’s a form of self-defense from getting hurt again. Bitterness is not an easy thing to overcome. And the side effects are often sarcasm and criticalness.

We become the sum total of our past experiences, but we don’t have to be prisoners of our past. That is what Jesus came for. To set the captives free.  In our new man, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Cir 5:17)

But we need to realize that we’re not all the same, nor at the same level in our walk with the Lord. Unity is not uniformity. That’s what Paul tried to explain to the church that we’re all ONE body.

We all need each other. We should not be divided by differences, but rather we should celebrate those differences while staying focused on what matters most: learning to love and appreciate each other as Christ has loved us and fulfilling God’s purposes for each of us in His church.

Let’s go over 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 agai“n: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.”

So how can you be unified with someone who irritates you?

“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently” (Romans 14:1 The Message)

Make it your MISSION field. The people that you think deserve your kindness the least are those who need the most massive doses of love. To achieve unity, offer empathy and compassion instead of judgement. Encouragement makes people flourish and condemnation makes people wither.

You can transform your whole community just through encouragement and commendation. Get used to saying,  “Wow, I admire you.”

I’ve compiled a few verses to help all of us who need to understand the importance of forgiveness and unity.

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Romans 12:17

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Psalm 34:14

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Ephesians 4:30-32

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Leviticus 19:15-16

Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the LORD.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Romans 13:10

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Titus 3:2

To slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Ephesians 4:27

Give no opportunity to the devil.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

Proverbs 18:21 D

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Matthew 7:12

In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.

Luke 6:31

As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Acts 7:26

The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, “Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?”