Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Saturday, November 2, 2019

Theme: AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES

Text: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; Cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Romans 12:9, 10.

Comment: Man’s heart has so drifted away from the purpose of God, that it has become frequent for people to betray not only their foes but also their friends. For petty rivalry and unholy competitions, for vain glory and positions or offices, for unmerited opportunities and favours, for temporal recognitions, people now sell out their own loved ones, friends and acquaintances. Compare Psalm 55:2-5,12-14.

Many have now perfected the act of feigning love, whereas in the depth of their hearts are the foundations of hatred. Smooth and sweet talkers they are; gentle and slow walkers they are, yet the evils planned in their hearts are firmer than steel. Can any man deceive God? Certainly not, because our God searches the heart and will in due course break the bands of the wicked. “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. – Jeremiah 17:10; Galatians 6:7.

So anyone who claims, or acts as if he or she has love, but harbours evil in the heart, is only deceiving himself or herself. Let us therefore stop deceiving ourselves and love truly, run away from wickedness and hold on to righteousness. Let us learn to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, always putting others first, before ourselves.

Leave a Reply