Stratford church of Christ Column
On almost any given day, we see news reports that contain violence, hatred, and rebellion of varying sorts displayed on the television screen. Though there are many good and wholesome things for us to consider concerning our society, we do realize that some people seem to thrive on acting as an enemy to someone. Since this is a part of our current reality, our quest is to learn how to respond.
The Bible tells us of the sufferings Jesus went through and the terrible death He endured from those who sought to be His enemies. But the Bible also gives us a wonderful description of the way Jesus treated His enemies in return.
We read the following words in 1 Peter 2:21-24. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.”
Instead of fighting back, or trying to get even with His enemies, Jesus chose to endure their ill treatment. They too would need to have the salvation He came to provide (Luke 19:10).
But I hope you don’t miss one other very important thing from the above verses. I was also involved. It was because I have sinned that Jesus suffered and died. I am grateful that instead of choosing vengeance toward me, the Lord chose mercy. If Jesus can still love someone who is sinful like me, shouldn’t I be eager to learn to love those who mistreat me in some way?
Jesus taught us long ago, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). Jesus gave commandments of love and non-retaliation that may be a difficult concept for the world to fully understand. Some might even consider them impossible to fulfill. But we must choose to follow them. As we make our choice, please remember that Jesus is always right! He always knows what is best for us.
Sometimes people can hurt our feelings, or offend us in some way. It is when we decide to show a negative reaction to those who hurt us that we often wind up hurting ourselves more than the other person. By choosing to ‘get even’, we create a cycle of actions which has no place to stop. They react, we react, and it goes on and on. Instead, if we would give a demonstration of love (in spite of the wrong suffered), we will show our offender that we choose to follow Jesus and His teachings.
Jesus is the perfect example that love is to be shown even when it’s not deserved (1 Peter 2:21). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). On the cross, the son of God prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Jesus knows how to love those who act in unlovable ways. His followers are to learn this from His example. This attitude lifts His followers above the hateful, get-even spirit of the world.
But people often ask how far our love and forgiveness is supposed to go? The apostle Peter asked this very question of Jesus, and the Lord gave him a surprising answer.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’” (Matthew 18:21, 22). In other words, our forgiveness toward others is to be unlimited. Why? Don’t we need God to be unlimited in His forgiveness toward us?
Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25, 26).
Love is willing to forgive! There should be no room in the Christ-like heart for bitterness, resentment, and thoughts of revenge. Jesus taught us instead to love, to bless, to do good for someone who has made themselves an enemy, and to pray for that person.
That’s the way to treat an enemy. Treat your enemies this way and they may become your friend instead. Treat them the same way the world treats its enemies and you will keep an enemy for life.
The apostle Paul put it this way: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse . . . 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” (Romans 12:14, 19-21).
