[You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you -Matthew 5:38-44]

Jesus did not say do this only for those who haven’t done anything too bad or only those who deserve it. He said love your enemies. Love those who persecute you, who persecute others. We are called not only to love those who are hurting but also those who have hurt others. If we don’t show grace and compassion to those who are doing wrong, how do you expect them to change? How will they see Jesus? Don’t tell me people can’t change. I have seen people change. I have seen God restore lives and heal relationships. Have I seen people who repeatedly refuse to change? Of course. Do I still hope? Absolutely. You never know when someone will make that decision to change and when they do, you need to be there to help. Not to ‘give them what they deserve’. I am thankful every day Jesus died so that I could be forgiven for my sins instead of getting what I deserve. We are called to act better to be better human beings not act like we’re better/our sins are better than someone else’s.

“I don’t like to think of anyone as a lost cause” -Julia Ormond, Sabrina

“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring