From Vengeance to Mercy: A Journey Through Scripturere
🌱 1. From Creation to Lamech: The Rise of Sin and Vengeance
Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 2:15 — “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”\
Genesis 2:16–17 — “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”
Genesis 3:6 — “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
(Sin enters the world. Separation from God begins.)
Romans 5:12 — “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
This was the turning point: sin entered the world through one choice, and now we all feel its echo in our hearts — a deep break we often try to fix by blaming others or protecting ourselves.
Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Genesis 3:15 — “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
This is the first promise of a Savior — One who would crush the serpent’s head (the devil), conquer sin (the lie that we can be like gods, knowing good and evil and doing whatever we want), and rescue mankind from death and darkness (our self-righteous belief that evil must be repaid with evil).
Genesis 4:1–2 — “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain…
²Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel.”
Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV):
⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?
⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
(A moment of mercy from God. The invitation to repentance is not just for Cain but for us as well.)
God is warning Cain — not with anger, but with love. He wants to show him that sin is not just an action, but a power waiting to rule the heart. It’s the same with us.
Genesis 4:8 — “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother… Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”
(The first murder. Sin is now expressed through violence because Cain rejects God’s way which is a path of forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and bearing with those closest to us.)
How quickly rejection turns into rage. How easily the heart trades love for power, and brotherhood for blood.
Genesis 4:9-15 (NIV):
⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
¹⁰ The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.
¹¹ Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
¹² When you work the ground, it will no longer yield good crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.
¹⁴ Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
¹⁵ “And the Lord said to him, ‘Not so, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
“God expelled Cain from the face of the earth, but in His mercy, He protected the sinner from being killed for the evil he committed against his brother. God placed a mark on Cain to prevent others from taking vengeance on him, offering him time to repent for his murder. This act of grace showed that God, in His mercy, forgave Cain, giving him space to repent and turn from his sin. However, the descendants of Cain exploited this divine protection, and instead of repenting, they used it as an excuse to escalate their sin, multiplying their evil rather than eliminating it. They sought immediate vengeance when wronged, yet they expected God’s protection, believing no one dared to avenge them.”
Even when Cain rebelled, God gave him time. A mark of protection instead of a sword of revenge. God’s mercy is always greater than we expect.
(Notice how Cain’s descendants pervert God’s mercy into an excuse for more violence and pride. We, too, can turn God’s grace into an excuse to keep sinning or retaliating.)
Proverbs 14:29 — “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.”
Proverbs 16:32 — “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Genesis 4:19, 23–24 — “Then Lamech took for himself two wives…
‘Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice… For I have slain a man for wounding me… If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”‘
This is where it spirals — pride turning pain into poetry. Lamech boasts of his violence like it’s a song. This is the world without Christ: unrepentant, self-glorifying vengeance.
(Pride and revenge are now celebrated. Sin multiplies without shame.)
Psalm 10:3–4 — “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire…
⁴ The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
Genesis 6:5 — “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Genesis 6:7–8 — “So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created…’
ˆBut Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
(God floods the earth but spares Noah. A line is preserved.)
Genesis 7:11–12, 17–19 (condensed):
“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life… all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. Rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights… The floodwaters rose greatly… and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.”
Genesis 9:1 — “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’”
(From Noah would come Abraham, and from Abraham, David. And from David, the promised Savior.)
Isaiah 11:1–2 — “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
²The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him — the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”
Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
[Enrichment of Part 2 and beyond coming next if you confirm to proceed.]
✝️ 2. From Promise to Fulfillment: Jesus, the Forgiver of Sin
Isaiah 9:6 — “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Matthew 1:21 — “And she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Jesus didn’t come to punish sin, but to save from it. That means from guilt, yes — but also from the spirit of vengeance inside us.
Luke 2:10–11 — “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy… For there is born to you… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
John 1:29 — “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(Here we see the promise fulfilled — the Savior has come! It’s easy to take for granted, but do we truly recognize the magnitude of what Jesus did? How often do we view Him only as a distant figure instead of the very Savior who bore the weight of our sins?)
Matthew 4:17 — “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
Matthew 5:21–22 — “You have heard… ‘You shall not murder’…
But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother… shall be in danger of the judgment.”
(Jesus addresses the root of violence — anger. He raises the standard from actions to the heart.)
(Jesus calls us to examine not just our actions but our hearts. It’s not just about avoiding physical murder, but dealing with the anger that fuels it. How does that challenge you today? What’s beneath your anger?)
1 John 3:15 — “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
Matthew 5:38–42 — “You have heard… ‘An eye for an eye’…
But I tell you… Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also… Walk the second mile… Give freely.”
Exodus 21:24 — “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
(Under the law, justice restrained vengeance. But Jesus moves beyond justice — into mercy.)
(The law aimed to limit vengeance, but Jesus calls us to a higher way. Mercy over justice. Do we find ourselves constantly looking for justice or retaliation? Can we look for ways to forgive even when we feel wronged?)
God gave justice to restrain chaos — not to justify revenge. Jesus comes to fulfill the Law by going further: love your enemy, bless those who curse you.
Proverbs 20:22 — “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”
Matthew 18:21–22 — “Peter said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”
This is the reversal of Lamech. The curse is broken. Instead of multiplying violence, Jesus multiplies mercy.
(Not avenged seventy-sevenfold, but forgiven seventy times seven. A reversal of Lamech.)
(Jesus’ answer is radical! Seventy times seven doesn’t just mean a number; it represents boundless mercy. In what situations do we hold on to grudges, thinking they are justified? Jesus challenges us to release the debt.)
Isaiah 53:5 — “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… And by His stripes we are healed.”
1 Peter 2:23–24 — “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return… Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”
Luke 23:34 — “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’”
This is the center of everything. Not words of judgment, but mercy — while He was still being murdered. Can we understand this love?
(He bore the ultimate violence… and answered it with forgiveness.)
(Jesus’ response to violence was forgiveness. Do we reflect that in our own lives? How can we model Jesus’ ability to forgive even when wronged?)
Romans 12:17–21 — “Repay no one evil for evil…
¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath…
²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Colossians 1:20 — “And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself… having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
Hebrews 12:24 — “To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
(Abel’s blood cried out for justice — Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy.)
(Abel’s blood cried out for justice — but Jesus’ blood speaks of mercy. We have been reconciled through His sacrifice. How does this impact how we approach conflict?)
✨ 3. Why Choose Wisdom? Why Flee from Darkness?
Proverbs 4:14–15 — “Do not enter the path of the wicked… Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.”
(The path of the wicked often appears appealing, but God warns us to avoid it. What temptations or bad influences are you tempted to entertain? How can you actively choose wisdom and avoid destructive paths?)
Ephesians 5:8, 11 — “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…
¹¹Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
(Once in darkness, but now we are light in Christ. Does your life reflect this change? How do you interact with the world around you? Are there areas where you’re still walking in darkness rather than in light?)
You don’t have to stay in darkness. If you’ve followed vengeance, you can walk away. Jesus offers light for your next step.
1 John 1:5–7 — “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all…
⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us.”
(Walking in the light is not a mere choice; it’s a reflection of our relationship with God. Are there places in your life where you’re not practicing what you profess? How can you walk in the light more consistently?)
James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.”
(If we lack wisdom, we can ask God. What areas of your life do you feel uncertain about or need wisdom in? Are you seeking God’s guidance actively?)
Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
(True wisdom starts with a reverence and respect for God. How does your fear of the Lord shape your decisions? Is this the foundation of your wisdom?)
True wisdom starts when we realize who God is — not a vengeful tyrant, but a holy, merciful Father.
2 Timothy 2:22 — “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
(Flee from things that lead you astray, but pursue righteousness and peace. Are there relationships or desires you need to flee from? What does pursuing peace and righteousness look like for you in practical terms?)
Romans 13:12 — “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”
(The time to choose light over darkness is now. What are some ways you can put on the armor of light today? How can you equip yourself with wisdom and righteousness for the battles ahead?)
Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
(God’s Word is our guide in a world full of darkness. How often do you rely on His Word for direction? When you feel lost or confused, how can you use the Word as your guide?)
“From Disciples to Us: Living Mercy Today”
Matthew 6:12 — “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
(The Lord’s Prayer is a constant reminder that we must forgive others, just as we ask God to forgive us. Who do you need to forgive in your life? What is stopping you from forgiving them?)
Colossians 3:12–13 — “Put on tender mercies… forgiving one another.”
(Forgiveness is a sign of growth in Christ. Are there areas where your heart is hardened? What is God calling you to do in terms of forgiveness today?)
James 2:13 — “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
(We will be judged with the same mercy we show others. What does this mean for you in how you view and treat others who may have hurt you?)
Hebrews 12:15 — “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God… and a root of bitterness springing up causes trouble.”
A final appeal: “Be a channel of Christ’s mercy in a bitter world. Don’t perpetuate Lamech’s curse. Live Jesus’ cross.”
(Bitterness can take root and affect our entire lives. Is there any unresolved bitterness in your heart? Ask God to reveal it and help you let go of it.)
(This is a call to guard our hearts against unforgiveness. Are there times when we let bitterness influence our thoughts, words, or actions? How do we uproot it by showing mercy instead?)
✨ 4. Why Do We Need Mercy Within Us? How Do We Become Like Him?
James 3:17 — “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
(Wisdom from God is not proud or condemning — it is full of mercy. Does your wisdom show this mercy?)
Matthew 5:7 — “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
(Those who give mercy will receive mercy. Who has hurt you that now deserves your mercy? What does it look like to forgive them?)
Luke 6:36–38 — “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
³⁷Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
³⁸Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
(If you seek revenge, revenge will be returned to you. Because Jesus the Lord continues:)
Mark 4:24–25 — “Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
²⁵For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.’”
Matthew 7:1–2 — “Judge not, that you be not judged.
²For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
³And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
⁵Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
(God shows us how to become like Him: non-judgmental, forgiving, merciful. In what areas of your life can you strive to be more like Him?)
Micah 7:18–19 — “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity…
¹⁹He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
(God is a God of forgiveness. He delights in showing mercy. Have you believed that personally — not just with your mind, but with your heart? Do you let Him throw your sins into the depths?)
Psalm 103:8–12 — “The Lord is merciful and gracious…
¹⁰He has not dealt with us according to our sins…
¹¹For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
(The Lord’s mercy is higher than the heavens, deeper than the sea, wider than the east is from the west.
How can you receive this mercy today — and give it? Ask yourself. Explore how. There are ways. The Lord is alive. He has not left us orphans.)
Luke 15:11–24 —
¹¹Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.
¹²And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.
¹³And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
¹⁴But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
¹⁵Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
¹⁶And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
¹⁷But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
¹⁹and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
²⁰And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
²¹And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²²But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
²³And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
²⁴for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
(We treat the riches our Heavenly Father gave us in this life the same way the prodigal son treated his inheritance. But unlike him, many do not return home — they remain with the pigs. And many, who think they never squandered the Father’s wealth, who did everything right in their own eyes, show no love for their brother who returned from the dead. Such hearts are also far from being sons of God — for in them, there is no mercy and forgiveness, which are the key elements of self-sacrificial love which Christ showed us on the cross.)
(The parable of the prodigal son: not condemnation, but embrace. Do you believe God receives you like this when you return to Him?)
2 Corinthians 5:17–19 — “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…
¹⁸Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
¹⁹that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
(God not only reconciled us, but called us to reconcile others. Who in your life needs to hear the word of reconciliation?)
Those who are forgiven are called to forgive. Those who received mercy must carry it. The mercy of Jesus is not just a gift — it is a calling.
🙏 Final Reflection
The story of humanity moved from Eden—to murder—to prideful vengeance—to the flood. But God preserved a line of mercy. From Noah to Abraham, to David, to Christ. In Jesus, we see the full answer to human violence:
He did not retaliate. He did not avenge.
He forgave. He carried our wounds. He let us strike Him.
He turned the other cheek—so we would turn our hearts.
Lamech said: “I have killed… seventy-sevenfold!”
Jesus said: “Forgive… seventy times seven.”
Which way leads to peace? Which voice speaks life?
Choose Jesus. Choose mercy. Choose light.
Romans 5:8 — “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Jesus’ ultimate act of mercy was His death on the cross for us. What does His sacrifice mean for how we live our daily lives?)
Christ let us kill Him. If He avenged like Lamech seventy-sevenfold, we would all have been long ago dead. We live because He forgave seventy times seven.
The rebellion against God draws people to this:
Genesis 4:23–24 — “Then Lamech said to his wives: ‘Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have slain a man for wounding me, even a young man for hurting me.
²⁴If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy‑sevenfold.’”
Reconciliation with God, to this:
Matthew 18:21–22 — “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”
(Two ways: Lamech or Christ. One leads to destruction. The other, to mercy and life. Which path do you choose?)
One is life without Jesus, the other is life with Jesus. One life leads to endless vengeance, the other leads to boundless forgiveness through Christ.
What did Jesus do?
He took our sins upon Himself — by His wounds we are healed. He allowed Himself to suffer because of our evil deeds, so that we can see that true love receives violence but does not return violence for punishment or vengeance. Therefore He said, if someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other also.
He took our wounds upon Himself.
Instead of beating and punishing us for our sin, we beat Him to death. He did not return death for our evil, but He took our death from us, and fastened it to Himself, so that when we killed Him, we would repent — and through that repentance, He would restore us to life.
He allowed us to kill Him, so that He could teach us not to sin. That He allowed us to kill Him — that is forgiveness. And forgiveness — it changes the heart.
Because we will say within ourselves:
“This One loves me, and I am killing Him. I should be ashamed. Let Him only be alive again, and I will kiss His feet from now on.”
And when we continue meditating on His love — God’s love, the Father’s love, infinite — we will go on like this:
“This One could have struck me back. He was stronger than I, and He did not repay me. He could have killed me, but He let me kill Him. He died because of me, in order to die for me. He made Himself a sacrifice for me, to show me that I sacrifice the One who loves me the most, who values me the most, who is the most useful to me in life. The One who gives me eternal life — He let me kill Him, so that He might return to me the life I had lost. Oh mystery of godliness!”
1 Timothy 3:16 — “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”
(This mystery of godliness — that God took on flesh, suffered at our hands, and still loved us — is the power that transforms hearts.)
He did not return death for our evil, but He took our death from us and pressed it upon Himself, so that when we killed Him, we would repent, and through that repentance He would bring us back to life — and that life, from now on, we should live without sin, because that pleases Him.
And I live for Him now — not for myself anymore. Because I saw that He lives for me. And not only that — He died for me. And He suffered long for me. So now, I will live even longer for Him — because He did not die just to prolong my life, but to give me a new one, a life that endures through eternity and never ends.
And not only that — He gave me a reason that never runs dry for living: His love, which surpasses all knowledge.
When will I fully explore this love that surpasses knowledge? Never. Forever I will marvel at it. Forever I will worship Him with joy. I will rejoice in reverence, and honor Him in love, and love Him in trust — because He knows me, and does not abuse me, but nurtures me like a precious stone, as valuable as the apple of His eye.
Ephesians 3:18–19 —
“To comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height —
¹⁹to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
(Spend your life exploring this love. It is higher, deeper, wider than anything we can imagine — yet it is meant to be known, lived, and shared.)
Тој ги зеде нашите рани од нас. И наместо тој нас да нѐ истепа и казни за гревот наш, ние Него го опепавме. Не ни врати смрт за зло, туку нашата смрт тој ја зеде од нас, си ја залепи на Него, за кога ќе го убиеме, да се покаеме, и со тоа да нѐ врати во живот. Тој ни дозволи да го убиеме, за да може да нѐ научи да не грешиме. Тоа што ни дозволи да го убиеме е прошка. А прошката ни го менува срцето. Зошто ќе си речеме во себе, „Овој ме сака, а јас го убивам. Срам да ми е. Само нека е жив, и нозете ќе му ги лижам отсега.“
И кога ќе продолжеме да размислуваме на неговата љубов, Божја, Таткова, бесконечна, вака ќе продолжиме, „Овој можеше да ми врати, појак беше од мене, а не ми врати, можеше да ме убие, а ме остави да го убијам. Умре од мене, за да умре за мене. Жртва направи за мене за да ми покаже дека јас го жртувам она кое најмногу ме сака, кое најмногу ме цени, кое најмногу ми користи во животот. Оној кој ми дава живот вечен, ми дозволи да го убијам, за да ми го врати животот кој ми беше загубен. О мистеријо на боженственоста!*
1 Тимотеј 3:16 — „И, без сомнение, голема е тајната на побожноста: Бог се јави во тело, се оправда во Духот, им се покажа на ангелите, се проповедаше меѓу народите, беше поверуван во светот, се вознесе во слава.“
(This mystery of godliness — that God took on flesh, suffered at our hands, and still loved us — is the power that transforms hearts.)
Не ни врати смрт за зло, туку нашата смрт тој ја зеде од нас, си ја залепи на Него, за кога ќе го убиеме, да се покаеме, и со тоа да нѐ врати во живот — и тој живот, отсега па натаму, да го живееме без грев, зошто Нему тоа Му е угодно; а јас, живем за Него, а не веќе за мене. Бидејќи видов дека Тој живее за мене. И не само тоа, туку и умре за мене. И многу долго трпеше за мене. Сега јас уште подолго ќе живеам за Него — зошто Тој не умре за да ми го продолжи животот, туку да ми даде нов, кој трае низ вечноста и не прекинува. А не само тоа, туку ми даде и неисцрпна причина да живеам — љубовта Негова која надминува знаење. Кога ќе ја доистражам таа љубов што надминува знаење? Вечно ќе се воодушевувам и ќе му се поклонувам во радост и ќе му се радувам во почит, и ќе го почитувам во љубов, и ќе го љубам во доверба. Зошто ме познава, и не ме злоупотребува, туку ме негува како драгоцен камен, кој е вреден колку зеницата на Неговото око.
Ефесјаните 3:18–19 —
„…да можете да сфатите, заедно со сите свети, што е ширината и должината, висината и длабочината,
¹⁹и да ја познаете љубовта на Христос, која ја надминува секоја познание — за да се исполниете со целата полнота Божја.“
(Spend your life exploring this love. It is higher, deeper, wider than anything we can imagine — yet it is meant to be known, lived, and shared.)
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