We are continuing this chapter, looking at how we are to live, what attitudes we are to have, in order to show our love for others. All others, but especially our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
This goes along with what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5: 44).
This means that we are to ask God to give them of His goodness, not to pray against them for God to punish them for their wrongdoings. He didn't punish us for our wrongdoings, but put that wrath due us onto Jesus. We are to pray that God also reveals His Love to those who are against us for His Name.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
We are to empathize with them and put ourselves in their shoes, whether they are going through good times or troubles. Share their times with them.
Be of the same mind toward one another;
Have the same attitude toward what is happening around us, as we are all one body together.
do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.
Don't think you're any better than someone else, but be ready to be a friend to every brother and sister, regardless of their station in the World.
Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Don't think you know better than someone else, or compare yourself with anyone else except for our Lord Himself.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.
We are to do good to those who despitefully use us. Never think to pay back like for like, but always think of doing better for the other than they did for you.
Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
When we consider what is "right in the sight of all men," this includes the World. Here we must take special care, because a lot that God considers to be right is considered to be "wrong" to those of the World. So we must take extra care to find those areas where we can agree is "right" both to God and to the World, and choose our words very carefully to not offend them.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Here's the "Desiderata" for us all to aim for. But it is only as far as it depends on us. Sometimes even when we've been very careful with our words and attitudes, those of the World will still not want to be at peace with us.
At those times we will need to examine our own hearts to make sure that we have not, even unconsciously, insulted or offended them from reacting from our own flesh. There is a fine line here.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
Whenever we try to "get even" with someone who has wronged us, we're taking God's prerogative out of His hands, and that's never a good idea. He has portioned out His wrath upon all sin and sins, and only He knows how much goes to each of us, and who has had his portion laid on Jesus instead."Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32: 35).
Feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty is to be done on an individual basis. Sometimes the government takes on this responsibility, but it is not for the government to take care of the people, but to protect them from foreign invasion and to provide judges to decide civil and criminal cases. The "sword" is given to the governing authorities to wield in the administration of the laws."But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head" (Proverbs 25: 21-22).
The Lord has given the church to have compassion and meet the needs of the poor and those who make themselves enemies of the Truth. Our kindness and uncalled for love can melt the hardest heart.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This could refer to our enemies' evil toward us, or it could even be the evil that we find within ourselves, having become an obsession or addiction. The good that God has given to us is powerful in the overcoming of every evil, whether inside us or outside us.
O my Father, thank You for all the goodness that You have given to us, to grant us the faith to believe and put our trust in what You have said; in the Truth of Your Son being our Lamb of God, whose precious Blood washes away our sins.
Father, help us to always carefully consider our words, even when provoked by our enemies, or even by our friends. May we develop the habit of pausing for the moment to decide to answer according to love and compassion, and not ever react in retaliation.
O Father, Your Love is so immense! Teach us how to manifest Your Love to the World, especially when they are fighting against themselves by attacking Your Truth. Show us how to display Your compassion for these enemies, and melt the stone in their hearts to turn to You and Your Love.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, King of the Universe, to the eternal glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever, Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
