Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:13-14 HCSB
It’s not always so easy to do what is right. Sometimes, doing what is right goes against what we really want to do. This is why Paul says in Galatians 5:17 that we must walk in the Spirit so as not to satisfy the lusts of the flesh because the flesh and the Spirit are always in opposition with each other.
The first part of our Scripture passage for today seems easy enough. We are to share with the saints. The saints are fellow Christ followers. As Christians, these are the people we have a lot in common with. We are all working for the same God towards the same goal. Helping them in times of need is something we should want to do.
The second part is not so easy. Paul goes on to say, bless those who persecute you. In all honesty, who wants to do that? Who wants to bless someone who is persecuting you? Persecuting you can mean anything from talking badly about you to tormenting you in some other way. So, why on earth would we want to bless these people? If we are honest, we probably don’t want to bless them. But it’s the right thing to do.
When Jesus was tormented and being crucified on the cross, He asked God to forgive his persecutors because they did not know what they were doing in Luke 22:34. We are to be imitators of Christ according to Ephesians 5:1. And while you probably don’t want to hear this, hurting people hurt people. Some people spend their lives in chaos and turmoil. They need this to feel comfortable. So, they like to start a fight and hope you will engage. Oftentimes, the best way to stop it is to simply not engage. If you bless them in some way, you will really throw them off their game. I know this from personal experience.
And you must remember that sometimes these people are merely tests. One day, I was studying my Sunday School lesson on anger when a tormentor sent me a scathing text message. I began typing a scathing response. I was really going to let them have it. Then, I looked down at my Sunday School book at the word anger. It stopped me in my tracks. I took a moment to pray and asked God to help me know what to say. I apologized to that person and explained that they must be going through a terrible time. I told them that God had helped me when I was going through a rough time, and I know He could help them too. I invited them to come to church with me and told them I would be praying for them. I never heard from that person again.
Had I responded as I had first planned, this would have caused an ongoing battle. Doing it God’s way stopped this person in their tracks.
When we respond the right way according to God’s word, either we will gain a brother or sister in Christ or lose someone who persecutes us. Either way, it’s a win/win for us.
The next time someone is persecuting them, stop to pray before responding. Ask God to help you handle it the right way. Imitate how Jesus would have responded. It is a much better way than anything you have planned, I assure you.
Have a great day!