19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5)
Thoughts: The act of hate and death against the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is not just a tragedy- it is evil. The Spirit would not approve of this kind of prejudice, hate, and truly an effort to divide our country along racial and religious lines. It is the same kind of evil that the shooter committed in Charleston against Emmanuel AME. It is evil inspired by hate, discord- dividing the nation; jealousy- of the Jews; fits of rage- which led to the killing of 11 people. It is important that we recognize that life matters- the deaths of these eleven is a part of our own legacy in our generation- a stain and a dark spot- to indicate something is wrong with us. This is not just a political or legal thing- it is far deeper. Instead, we are called to a way of love and peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. We need to pray for the people of Pittsburgh that there would be comfort and healing. We need to pray for our land that there would be less hatred and prejudice. We need to act in love and teach love and care for those different from us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to act with kindness and care toward those different from me.
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