Dear Friends,
Some people might respond to yesterday’s devotional with something like this: “But you don’t understand what they did to me! I’ve got to get back at them. If not revenge, what? There isn’t any other way to pay them back for what they did.” Today’s devotional shows a better way. God bless you.

Because of Calvary,
John Janney

• Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)

  17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

“John Ehrlichman and Charles Colson were embroiled together in the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to President Nixon’s humiliating resignation. Both men spent time in prison for the roles they played in Watergate. Colson became a Christian through this experience but Ehrlichman, a Christian Scientist, seethed in anger. For over twenty years he openly despised Colson and wrote defamatory articles against him. Less than a year before Ehrlichman’s death in 1999, Colson learned of his antagonist’s failing health. The former domestic affairs adviser, whose office was once immediately above the Oval Office, was now alone in a nursing home. He was dying of renal failure, his third wife had left him, and he was alienated from his children. Into this setting, Charles Colson came and not only shared the love of Christ, but also demonstrated it as well. Ehrlichman was amazed at the forgiveness and concern offered to him by a man he had so vehemently attacked. That one-hour meeting led to Ehrlichman’s journey toward God. Three months later he called Colson and told him the doctors said he wouldn’t live much longer. Colson was sick at the time so he sent a good friend who led John Ehrlichman to Christ. He died shortly thereafter and entered into the presence of God because one Christian decided to extend Christlike forgiveness.” [“The Blessing of Forgiveness,” Pastor to Pastor, Vol. 43 in McHenry’s Stories for the Soul compiled by Raymond McHenry, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001), p. 117-118]