
Love Does Not Rejoice in Evil

When we read or hear of evil, instead of rejoicing believers should feel grief and concern. Currently much news is so horrific, that it is depressing to read or listen to the sin and havoc in our world. We are not to bury our heads in the sand and we should pray for our nation, but it grieves us that there are so many sinful people and
even some who are so misguided they think their evil deeds are helping society.
Paul wrote that we are to keep no record of wrongs, but pray for the offenders and trust they will accept Jesus as their Savior. Then we will be able to rejoice in the truth that Love protects and gives hope to the lost.
Once when Jesus had taught a lesson on forgiveness, Peter asked Him if we are to forgive our offender seven times. Jesus’ response was not only seven times but seventy times seven. I believe Jesus meant there is no limit to the times we must forgive an offender. Then we will keep no record in our minds of the number of times we have forgiven: for we have been able to forgive and forget.
As believers when a wicked person is detected and punished, we may feel a sense of relief that a criminal is no longer at liberty to cause us harm, but we should pray that through this experience he or she will come to know Jesus. I’ve never been actively involved in jail or prison ministry, but it’s an important ministry: because every criminal was created in God’s image and has a soul. Also each is some mother’s daughter or son who went astray.
Father, You love the thousands of prisoners; please give us love sufficient to pray for them and that some who have never trusted You, still do so. We praise and thank You in Jesus’ Name for saving us. Amen.