You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
It is easy to like people who like us, and encourage people who respect us. It is the natural way society works. It is also natural to hate those who hate us and curse those who are against us. But Jesus was not like that! Paul's teaching to Christians in the high profile, high pressure city of Rome encouraged radical living to demonstrate the nature of Jesus Christ in their reactions to people they lived among and worked with - starting with other believers (the context of the first half of this chapter) and then with hostile unbelievers (Romans 12:20).
Instead of cursing those who make their life difficult, people who follow Jesus should bless their persecutors. This is a supernatural response, only made possible by the Holy Spirit's work in the heart of the child of God. That was how Jesus responded, and He practised what He preached (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28); even when He was being falsely accused. On the cross He prayed for His persecutors and even the execution centurion said, "Surely He was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54).
Disciples of Jesus stand out from the crowd because of two reactions: they love their fellow believers even though they may be of a different race or social class (Galatians 3:28), and because they love their enemies (1 Corinthians 4:12-13). The supernatural response to hostility is love, because God has set His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit; and compassion, because they are like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord has given us the motivation and the power: we just need to put it into practice. The first step is to pray for those you would naturally hate; they will not be able to change unless God changes them. Pray as Jesus did, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing!" (Luke 23:34). That is the challenge, first to pray and then to bless those who hate you.
Prayer: Loving and most gracious God. I am amazed to realise how much Jesus trusted You to deliver Him; that He was patient when He was slandered, gentle when He was accused, and prayed for His executioners. Please forgive me when I follow my natural instincts and the example of the world around me. I am sorry when I have fought back against my enemies instead of seeing them as sad people who do not know Jesus or His way to God's heart. Help me to be alert to my reactions, and may I learn how to bless people as I practise every day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Leave your comment below