Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matthew 5:21-26
Dear Jesus,
You preach the law in a more exacting way than anyone else I have ever read. I would like to pride myself that I have never murdered anyone. But you convict me that I have made them feel rejected for their mistakes and have been angry with them for costing me. I am sorry. I know I am forgiven too. You make loving me, your greatest priority. I know that. I need you supernatural help to make loving people a priority too. Simply put, I just want to write some people off. But you don't. Help me to value every person my life touches. Help my family and friends to feel you love from me even when we disagree. Help acquaintances to believe in grace by what they hear from me too. Help my adversaries to experience unconditional love when they are mistreating me. Oh, Jesus, make me be and do what I am not at all naturally inclined to. Make me a "minnie-me" of you.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
In regard to your relationship with people, Jesus wants you to be a "minnie-me" of him.
Additional Reading: Philippians 2
