Have you seen the reaction between two young children that happens when one of them pushes down the other in a fit of anger and rage? Many times the young child who had been pushed down will get back up and do exactly the same to the other as had just been done to them. At that stage of their life, self control is something that not a lot of children have mastered. As a matter of fact, some people as adults still have a difficult time managing their anger and emotions when they are wronged by someone else. The desire to repay back the wrongs that had been done to them is too great so they do just that.
But that is the desire that we need to learn to suppress when we become a Christian. We need to learn how to do good to those who hate us. We need to learn how to not return evil for evil, but instead to allow yourself to go through that suffering.
Romans 12:17-21 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The word recompense means “an equivalent returned for anything given, done, or suffered; compensation; reward; amends; requital. That which compensates for an injury, or other type of harm or damage.”
The life of a Christian should be centered around love, the primary virtue that Jesus taught, and not just to love your friends, family, and neighbors, but to love even your enemy. What?! Love your enemy? How can anyone love their enemy? This is the general thinking that many people may have when they hear this, but this is because they haven’t learned the ways of Christ yet.
Instead of using your ability or desire to bring punishment upon someone else when they harm you, the way that Christ teaches is to allow yourself to be wronged, and allow yourself to suffer, and not to avenge yourself. Our Lord set a great example by His life. We can even look to His crucifixion, when He said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Even during that excruciatingly painful death, Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who did such things to Him. He could have used His power to destroy everyone there who hated Him, but He didn’t. When He rose from the grave three days later, Jesus didn’t go and find all of those who crucified Him and nail them to a cross. He didn’t avenge Himself, and commands His believers to do the same.
Luke 6:27-35 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
What did you learn here today? When we are hated and persecuted by an enemy, take the route that Jesus took, and love them. Even if they continue to do evil towards you, never return it back, remembering the Scriptures, “I will repay, saith the Lord.”
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 