Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
Yes. Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-48 that we must
love our enemies. That was a
counter-cultural command. It’s easy to
love those who love us. It’s hard to
love those who hate us. Jesus said take
the high road.
Paul
continued that thought in Romans 12.
Interesting for him to discuss this point since he was the enemy to many
Christians and now had made many enemies with people who were once his friends.
The
tendency with enemies is to “get back at them.”
Paul said don’t do it.
Do not
repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everyone. If it is possible, as far as
it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take
revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19
Revenge
is not the response, Paul said. “Bless
those who persecute you.” To bless
someone who is persecuting is the opposite of what they would expect. He goes on:
On the
contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:20-21
Feed your enemy. Get them something to drink. Overcome their evil with good. This sort of response will burn into their
heads and effect their spirit.