What Can I Do?
Behave Like a Christian
(Romans 12)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Christian
“The Christian is the one who seeks to imitate Christ in thought, word and works, as far as he is able as a human being, believing correctly, and simply in the Holy Trinity.”
The Ladder of Divine Ascent John Climacus
Rule of Benedict - The Tools for Good Works (Chapter 4)
First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27).
Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.
Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ.If you have a dispute with someone, make peace before the sun goes down.
Do not repay one bad turn with another (1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9). If people curse you, do not curse them back but bless them instead. Endure persecution for the sake of justice (Matt 5:10).
Guard your lips from harmful or deceptive speech.
You must relieve the lot of the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick (Matt 25:36), and bury the dead. Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing.
If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge.
Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer. Every day with tears and sighs confess your past sins to God in prayer and change from these evil ways in the future.
Never lose hope in God’s mercy.
Prayer
“May the Lord Jesus Christ, who walks on wounded feet, walk with you to the end of the road.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who serves with wounded hands, help you to serve each other.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves with a wounded heart, be your Love forever.
Love God wherever you go,
And may you see the face of Jesus in everyone you meet. Amen.” -Bishop Timothy Matthews-