January 8
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men — 1 Thes. 5:15.
According to the Scriptural standard, the true people of God should be the most polished, the most refined, the most polite, the most generous, the most kind, of all the people in the world—and should be all these in the most absolute sense—not in the mere sense of an outward form and appearance of kindness, gentleness, etc., so common in the world; but a gentleness, a kindness, proceeding from the heart, proceeding from an appreciation of the Lord's Spirit and the spirit of the Truth, the spirit of love, and the spirit of justice, also—Z '01, 297 (R 2877). The spirit of vengeance is the spirit of Satan, as the spirit of meekness and non-retaliation is the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, all who have the Lord's Spirit will constantly be on the alert to do good, whether to friend or foe, doing good according to opportunity to all men, especially to the household of faith. Ever following this course their hearts will more and more approximate the likeness of the Lord's—P '35, 182. Parallel passages: Lev. 19:18; Deut. 32:25; Psa. 94:1; Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:38-41; Rom. 12:12-17, 19-21; Heb. 10:30; 1 Pet. 2:23; 3:9; Gal. 6:10; 1 Thes. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:18. Hymns: 125, 267, 196, 198, 315, 95, 208. Poems of Dawn, 114: Just for Today. Tower Reading: Z '16, 149 (R 5897). Questions: Have I this week rendered evil for evil, good for evil or evil for good? What were the circumstances, the motives and the effects? |
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JUST FOR TODAY
LORD, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray;
Keep me from any stain of sin just for today.
Let me both diligently work and duly pray;
Let me be kind in word and deed just for today.
Let me be slow to do my will, prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself just for today.
Let me no wrong nor idle word unthinking say;
Set Thou Thy seal upon my lips just for today.
So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, hold me, Lord, just for today.
LORD, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray;
Keep me from any stain of sin just for today.
Let me both diligently work and duly pray;
Let me be kind in word and deed just for today.
Let me be slow to do my will, prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself just for today.
Let me no wrong nor idle word unthinking say;
Set Thou Thy seal upon my lips just for today.
So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, hold me, Lord, just for today.
