3-Day Bible Reading Plan: “Retaliation”
“As much as we despise being on the receiving end of resentment, haven't we also, at some point, harbored our own grudges? We justify it, perhaps, as self protection; a necessary emotional distance to safeguard ourselves from further hurt. But this “protection” often masks a lack of compassion, a hardening of our hearts. Animosity, left unchecked, breeds unkindness, chilling our relationships and preventing us from experiencing the warmth and fullness of genuine connection. It is against this backdrop of human frailty and fallibility that Jesus offers a radical, counter-intuitive solution: generosity.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 3/9/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: Matthew 5:38-42 - “Do not resist the one who is evil.”
What does Jesus mean by instructing us not to "resist an evil person," and how might this apply practically in situations of personal or systemic injustice?
How does the call to "go the extra mile" or "give your coat as well" reflect the nature of God’s grace, and what implications does this have for Christian ethics in everyday life?
What role does radical generosity play in this teaching, and how might it serve as a witness to the Kingdom of God in a world driven by self-interest?
“The Lord Jesus forbids everything like an unforgiving and revengeful spirit. ‘I say unto you, That ye resist not evil.’ A readiness to resent injuries, a quickness in taking offence, a quarrelsome and contentious disposition, a keenness in asserting our rights,—all, all are contrary to the mind of Christ.” - J.C. Ryle
Day 2
Featured Verse: Proverbs 25:21-22 - “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat…for you will heap burning coals on his head.”
What does the phrase "heap burning coals on his head" imply about the spiritual or emotional impact of generosity toward an enemy, and how might this connect to the concept of conviction or repentance?
How does the promise of the Lord’s reward influence the motivation behind loving one’s enemy, and what does this reveal about the relationship between human action and divine blessing?
What theological significance can be drawn from the connection between meeting an enemy’s physical needs (hunger and thirst) and the potential for spiritual transformation?
“To bless those that curse us, to feed the hungry enemy—this is God-like; it is to do as Jesus did. You heap coals of fire upon his head—not to consume him, but to melt him into repentance and love.” - Charles Spurgeon
Day 3
Featured Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:15 - “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
How does Paul’s directive to "see that no one repays anyone evil for evil" reflect the transformative nature of God’s grace, and what might this suggest about the Christian’s role in interrupting patterns of wrongdoing?
In what ways does this verse confront natural human tendencies toward retaliation, and how might it reshape our understanding of power or triumph from a Christian standpoint?
What significance does the language of "see that" and "always seek" carry in terms of intentional effort, and how might this highlight the persistent spiritual commitment required of believers?
“To render good for evil is divine; it is to show the world that we are not of it, but of Him who overcame evil with love, and bids us do the same.” - Horatius Bonar