Loving the Neighbor Who Has Wronged You

A hard word from Walther this morning, but it fits in so well with the Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday (Matt. 18:21-35):

The Christian "must learn to endure ingratitude and not allow his love to grow cold on account of it. He must keep a heart full of love toward those who offend and provoke him - even those who have done flagrant wrong to him, hated him, and persecuted him."

From C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It (St. Louis: Concordia, 2006) p. 749.