Do Good to Those Who Come Against Us!
When we are persecuted, harassed, or facing opposition, we need to respond with a love.
Jesus says in Luke 6:27-29, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.” As a follower of Jesus, this has been one of the hardest character traits of Jesus for me to learn and do.
Who does that? Not many people, actually. It’s what should set us Christians apart, because it’s not a natural or popular or easy response. It takes a lot of courage to do those things! Anyone can retaliate or say something mean back.
God wants us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who hurt us, and turn the other cheek. Is that easy? No. just saying it makes my blood pressure go up! But God, It’s the most powerful form of witness, but we can only do it by being filled with God’s love.
As we grow in our relationship God we should want to be that kind of person for Jesus. We should want to be that brave. We should want to have a heart of courage that won’t cave in to what’s wrong, no matter what they throw at us. And we should want to respond with love.”
When we refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love at work or with somebody who doesn’t like us, God will be pleased. And we’re going to be blessed.
“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven”(Matthew 5:10-12).
Jesus paid a high price for us! He says there’s a price to be paid for following Him. Popularity on Earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian, but your reward in heaven is a guarantee.
My Challenge for us today is to Love Big, like Jesus!