How unfitting this is!
(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
The believer must ever conduct himself with kindness and love towards the wicked. Yet there is in many religious professors, almost the same acrimony against the ungodly world—as there is in the ungodly world against them!
How unfitting this is! For if there is any difference between us and others—it is God alone who has made us to differ! 1 Corinthians 4:7. If we see the ungodly still living in their natural enmity and rebellion against God—then their forlorn state calls for nothing but pity and compassion!
Romans 12:17, 20, 21.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. On the contrary,
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good!
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."
Matthew 5:43-45.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you—that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous!"
Luke 6:27-29.
"But I tell you who hear Me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."
1 Peter 2:23.
"When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats."
We must set the Lord Jesus Christ ever before us, and endeavor to drink into His spirit, and to walk in His steps. This must be our constant habit.