Thanks for that, Brandon. It doesn't seem that the killer was in her fully, right mind. Seriously. But you sure can't deny the effects.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
I'm utter convinced that only God Himself can produce this kind of life in us.
Seeking revenge, wrath, and retribution seems so natural to our limbic brains.
Yeah...check THIS out.
It is so EASY to hate other people for the heinous things they do, isn't it?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Heh. I think about what I would do if someone really did something like this to my family...and in the depths of my heart, I see some real potential for straight up bare-handed murder. Bare-handed, painful, murder. I've had homicidal thoughts about others more times in my life than I'd care to remember. And without God working in me, it would normally be these kind of incidents that send me over the edge into incarnating the deadly sin of Wrath.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Please.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Post Edited (One Love) : 1/29/2011 10:05:40 PM (GMT-6) |