“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 NLT
Paul follows his instructions about serving one another through our spiritual gifts with a string of attitudes and actions that reflect who we are inside. As branches in the vine (John 15), we bear the fruit that reveals the nature of the vine. Real fruit, not plastic decorations, shows that we are in vital union with the true vine. We can’t make this fruit happen. We simply allow the nature of Jesus to come out in our attitudes and behaviour.
Prayer is the key. Prayer keeps us in vital contact with Jesus, who is our source in every moment of our daily lives. His joy flows through us…giving colour and flavour to our human experiences, even in times of trouble or suffering. Generosity is the evidence of our union with Him…freely giving of ourselves in service to others no matter the cost.
“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
Romans 12:14-16 NLT
Paul’s instructions about how to live as followers of Jesus, and reflects his confidence in a people who have been given a heart transplant…they are no longer sell-absorbed. They see others through God’s eyes and with God’s heart. Persecutors are not to be hated but to be wooed…through love and prayer.
We also show our togetherness with our fellow believers by participating in their joys and sorrows. We keep our feet the ground by sharing our lives with all people, no matter what their station in life…and we allow others to be themselves…to think, decide, and choose their own way. We don’t force ourselves on them by a show of superior knowledge or by trying to influence their choices. I say that because we have a tendency to think we know more…or that our way of thinking is better than others.
Then Paul reaches a point that is a game-changer when we seriously consider and practise his counsel. Don’t retaliate! This is a bitter pill to swallow because our flesh revolts against unfair treatment of any kind.
“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.”
Romans 12:17-19 NLT
Ae we have already learned from a previous post (15d), when we are wronged, it is the most natural thing in the world to hit back. Why shouldn’t we? We have the right to be angry. We have the right to pay back…and more…for what we have suffered. “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!” Isn’t that what the Bible teaches?
Jesus always taught and modelled a higher and better way.
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.”
Matthew 5:38-41 NLT
Was Jesus teaching that we must allow people to walk all over us without retaliating? No! There are two lessons enshrined in His words. The first is that we must not retaliate when someone treats us unfairly because retaliation…revenge…is not in our job description. We are not the judge…God is…and His judgment is just. When we judge, we take matters into our own hands and…we not only keep the evil going but we also, most often, make it worse.
Second, hidden in this instruction is a reference to the culture of Jesus’ day. He was also teaching that you must not allow your enemy to rob you of your dignity. When you return good for evil, you are forcing your enemy to acknowledge that you are on equal footing with him/her…. like turning the other cheek, going the second mile, or giving up your cloak when your tunic is demanded. These responses go beyond what is required of you.
Retaliation/revenge in whatever form, perpetuates hatred in the world…between individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Just think of the current conflicts in our world. Death and destruction follow retaliation…big time!
Jesus said, “Cut it off! Let it go before it escalates! Let God take care of it!”
There is a practical way of stopping the cycle of revenge. Eugene Peterson, in his rendering of Romans 12:20-21 in “The Message” says…
“Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”
Romans 12:20-21 MSG
In this way, we not only take the wind out of the other person’s sails, but we also treat that person with dignity and respect…recognising a need and doing something about it.
The real issue is…who are you? If you are God’s child, then act like Him. If you act like an ungodly person, you are denying the God who created you and the person God has made you to be.
To be continued