God Honoring Behavior (Part 6)

Verse of the day: Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Here is one that will test us to the core; our ability, in Christ, to not retaliate when someone wrongs us. Our flesh and our pride will get the best of us almost every time someone offends us or commits some act of wickedness toward us. The restraint we must show is truly supernatural, as our natural tendencies and thinking is contrary to how Jesus told us to respond to our enemies and those that persecute us and use us (Mt 5:43-48). The Apostle Paul reiterates the same thing here in this chapter. We are to bless those who persecute us. In this passage the word bless means “to ask God’s blessing on a thing”. In other words, even in blessing those who stand against us, we are to bring it under God’s authority, taking it out of our own hands. Can God choose to use us to be the blessing in that person’s life? Yes, He can. Jesus told us not only to pray, but to do good to those who hate us (Mt 5:44). We are not to curse them, but ask for God’s blessing upon them. King David was a great example of someone who refused to retaliate, even when the opportunity presented itself, against King Saul. Although there were instances when he publicly rebuked Saul, he refused to kill him. What was King David’s motivation in refusing to take vengeance against King Saul? It was the fact that he was God’s anointed. In other words, his fear (reverence) of God caused him to refrain from taking King Saul’s life. We can learn a valuable lesson from that when we are facing those that persecute us for our faith. In verse 17 of this same chapter, the Apostle Paul continues to give us instruction on how we, as God’s children, are supposed to respond/behave toward those who commit evil against us. We are not to do the same to them, and rather than return evil for evil, we are to resist evil. When we respond in kind to those who persecute us, we sink to their level. God receives no glory from us losing our temper and saying or doing things that the unsaved say is right to do in these cases. The reaction from the unsaved world will, on the one hand, be that of amazement if we show restraint, and the person who is persecuting us will be the one who looks foolish in the situation; and on the other hand, we will be mocked by those who believe that we should stand up for ourselves and not let others push us around and get away with whatever they did. This is when we must stop and think about our response. Do we dishonor God and show a lack of fear for God? Do we allow our ego and pride to be stirred up to the point that we throw what we know about how God wants us to respond to the wind? Whether or not we succeed in doing what God has directed us to do really comes down to what we choose. This would be the time to remind ourselves that God commands us to leave vengeance to Him. He further directs us to live at peace with others (yes, even those that want to cause us harm) as much as lies within us; and even take the step of feeding them if they are hungry or giving them to drink if they are thirsty. In doing so, we will not be overcome by evil, but instead, in Christ, we will overcome evil with good (v. 17-21). I once heard a gentleman, who used to be an atheist, tell the story of his conversion. He tells of how he caused physical harm to a young man who used to talk to him about Jesus. The young man never tried to retaliate, but instead showed him kindness and continued to talk to him about the Lord, until one day this man who claimed not to believe in God called upon Christ as his Savior. Today, he still serves the Lord as a pastor. When we are obedient to God’s Word, and trust Him to take care of us, and those who would seek to persecute and harm us, we will be surprised at what God can do in the heart of those whom we choose to show the love of God toward, rather than respond foolishly (based on how our flesh, our pride, and the world would move us to respond). What may seem like foolishness to the world, is what will ultimately bring God the most glory, as we give Him room to show us, and those who come against us, that He truly is God and is fully capable of taking care of us when evil men come against us. On a final note, humility before God, and our obedience in forgiving others, as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us, plays a major role in our ability to bring these types of instances to God, and leaving them with Him.

If there is anyone who deserves to not be forgiven and deserves eternal condemnation, it is each and every one of us (Ro 3:23). However, rather than destroy us, while we were yet sinners, and God’s enemies, He proved His love for us (Ro 5:8). Today, He calls us to be a part of His family, and He extends an invitation to accept His free gift of salvation (Ro 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Ro 10:13).