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Romans 12:14-21
The Apostle Paul gives us a startling declaration in Romans 12:14 (NKJV) to, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” This simple action of our faith brings out our true sincere heart that is based in this evil world, yet as Christians, we are striving to let God change through His Holy Spirit working through our salvation in Christ Jesus. To bless those who persecute you is maybe the hardest thing in our Christian lives that we have to do. It is against our human nature. But we must also realize that our human nature is based from the sinful nature of this world in which Satan is in control. God desires us to have a renewed life in Christ Jesus. This requires a change of our hearts; of our sincerity of our heart that is reflective of Jesus in this evil world that we would be His example to others of His great love not only for us but for them too. He forgave us and we did not deserve to be forgiven, and in reflection of this we too should be forgiving of others. King Solomon was blessed by God with a, “wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you” (1 Kings 3:12b-c, NKJV) as is the words spoken to him by God as he became king of Israel. Solomon later teaches us in Proverbs 25:21-22 (ESV), “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
This is a command to be a reflection of Jesus through our salvation in Him.
This is a command to repay evil with good – in Christ.
It is interesting that evil is to be overcome with good; the opposite is the requirement for a just solution. But as the Apostle Paul goes on to say in Romans 12:15-16 (NKJV), “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” To repay evil for evil grows evil in this world, but to repay evil with good overpowers evil and sends God’s blessings of conviction to the evil that the evil would be recognized and hopefully lead that person to forgiveness and a new life in Christ Jesus. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 with instructions that vengeance is the Lord’s to give as He sees necessary; we are to leave that to God – our responsibility is to reflect the good that God has put in our hearts through our salvation in Christ Jesus, as evil is from this world and the good that God puts in our hearts through His Holy Spirit is to reflect Him and draw others to Him through the example of Christ Jesus that we now are to reflect – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
It is tough to stand tall in Christ Jesus in this evil world and truly be an example of Jesus when the evils attack us; we are prone to defend ourselves, and You, by attacking those who attack us. But You teach us to not be this way; for the evil that is of this world is not reflective of our Savior Jesus, but that we would repay evil with good. To truly be Your servants in Christ Jesus we must learn to forgive others and be the example of Jesus and the love that You have shown to us…to others. Please help us to do so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.