Rom 13:7-8 (NIV) Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Rom 13:9-10 (NIV) The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no HARM to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

When someone does the opposite of Romans 13:7-10 in their relationship with us, we feel they are in debt to us. If they mistreat us, they OWE us an apology; if they borrow something, they are responsible for bringing it back; if we work for them, they OWE us a wage; if we trade them something, then they OWE us a similar object of value. That is the LAW of justice and being fair; but, GOD gave us grace and mercy. He blessed us with gifts we didn’t deserve (grace); and, He delivered us from punishments that we DID deserve (mercy).

Mat 5:38 (NIV) You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.

>Mat 5:39 (NIV) If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mat 5:40 (NIV) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

Mat 5:41 (NIV) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Mat 5:42 (NIV) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Mat 5:43-45 (NIV) 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous (those who do good to themselves and others) and the unrighteous (those who do bad to themselves and others).

Mat 5:46 (NIV) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Mat 5:47 (NIV) And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Mat 5:48 (NIV) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus teaches us how to “crush” the competition; when people come with all their violence, bad attitudes, lies, cheating, and competitive attitudes, they come ready for a fight. They have learned how to fight; they know how to deal with people who believe and act like they do; but, they are TOTALLY unprepared to deal with people who act like Jesus teaches and empowered us. We win by using procedures that the world has NEVER encountered before. They are so unprepared that they are set back by the love procedures that Jesus is training us with.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Mat 7:12). This is the principle that wins the hearts of honest, loving, caring, fair, and righteous people (only doing good to ourselves, others, and God’s plan). It is in oppositions to those who do business and live their lives based on being lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them (2 Tim 3:2-5).

Having a form of godliness but denying its power: Which one of the above philosophies would you want to marry, do business with, be friends with, or follow their teachings? However, we do business with these kinds of people all the time.

Many of the people you do business with “act” like they care about you; they “tells” you they care about you; they structure their business “as if” they care about you; they structure their advertisements trying to make you “think” they care about you; but, they actually are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

What do we do with media, business, entertainment, education, government, law enforcement, friends and associates, and sports people that teach us, do business with us, entertain us, govern us, and inform us through hearts that are evil? We use the power-forgiveness of God and then move into a way of life that provides people with media, business, entertainment, education, government, law enforcement, friends and associates, and sports that come from a life and heart of Jesus.

Heb 10:29-31 (NIV) How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified Him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him Who said, “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. When we simply use God’s power-forgiveness and move on, we aren’t fighting people, taking people to court, being distracted with anger, frustration, bitterness, revenge, and competition.

Eph 4:31-32 (NIV) GET RID of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. BE kind and compassionate to one another, FORGIVING each other, JUST AS in Christ God forgave you. If we have an ACCIDENTAL encounter with an evil person, we QUICKLY apply the system of Matthew 5:38-48, forgive them JUST AS in Christ God forgave you, and then we get away from them as fast as we can. We leave them to God, forgive them, and GO ON WITH OUR LIVES.

The Christian spouse, Christian business person, Christian friend, Christian associate, or Christian stranger spends as much of their time as possible with those who WANT to be helped, cared for, transact business, and live righteous lives. We stay away from evil people as much as is possible; and, we spend all our time with those who want to do things the way Jesus teaches. But, as we spend time with them, we help them see the benefits of Jesus and His way of life.

If you want forgiveness for yourself and want to be able to forgive others, say these words: “Forgive us our debts, AS WE ALSO HAVE forgiven our debtors.” Now, if God brings anyone to your attention that you haven’t forgiven, add any additional prayers and pray over any additional Scriptures that you feel will help you forgive the people in your life, then pray this prayer again.