Proverbs 25:21-22
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the hardest things we will ever have to do as Christians is to show kindness to those who have been unkind to us. For me, the word “enemy” is a little strong…I don’t feel I have any personal enemies. But this is the word used throughout the Bible for those who treat others in an unkind or unfair manner, and I have encountered unkind people and felt the sting of harsh words and excluding gestures. I bet you have, as well.
For me, the worst is when this comes from fellow church members or people who profess to be Christians. But sadly, it happens…and I hope and pray that you and I am not guilty of doing the same thing to others.
It would be easy to turn and walk in the other direction when we encounter someone who has spoken to us unkindly. If a person has spread untruths about you, it would be understandable if you were not first in line to offer a helping hand when he/she was in need. There have been instances in my life that have caused me to think, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on this person if he/she was on fire!”
But then, there is Proverbs 25:21-22 - not to mention Matthew 5:44! We are called to “love our enemies” and surprise them with generosity…to pray for them and offer them every kindness. So that means speaking to the person who mistreated you – and doing so with a smile. It means doing whatever God leads you to do to help ALL people in their time of need. It means reaching out to those you would really rather show your back instead of a smile or a helping hand.
How do we manage this? We call on God’s grace and mercy. We ask Him to fill our hearts with compassion for the other person…and we do this because Jesus does it for us. Certainly, Jesus had every reason to turn His back on you and me. He doesn’t owe us even a smile…much less Salvation and a home with Him for all eternity. Yet this is exactly what we are in line to receive.
Jesus provides us with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and understanding every single day – even though none of us deserves any of it. So how can we, as His disciples, offer others anything less? I can almost hear Jesus saying, “Suck it up, Buttercup! If you want to serve in MY army, you have to be willing to treat others as I would - even your ‘enemies.’” Where does this apply to you today? Who needs to see Jesus through your words and actions?
Are you making a point…or making a difference in your Christian discipleship? Isn’t it time to get this right?
©2016 Debbie Robus
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the hardest things we will ever have to do as Christians is to show kindness to those who have been unkind to us. For me, the word “enemy” is a little strong…I don’t feel I have any personal enemies. But this is the word used throughout the Bible for those who treat others in an unkind or unfair manner, and I have encountered unkind people and felt the sting of harsh words and excluding gestures. I bet you have, as well.
For me, the worst is when this comes from fellow church members or people who profess to be Christians. But sadly, it happens…and I hope and pray that you and I am not guilty of doing the same thing to others.
It would be easy to turn and walk in the other direction when we encounter someone who has spoken to us unkindly. If a person has spread untruths about you, it would be understandable if you were not first in line to offer a helping hand when he/she was in need. There have been instances in my life that have caused me to think, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on this person if he/she was on fire!”
But then, there is Proverbs 25:21-22 - not to mention Matthew 5:44! We are called to “love our enemies” and surprise them with generosity…to pray for them and offer them every kindness. So that means speaking to the person who mistreated you – and doing so with a smile. It means doing whatever God leads you to do to help ALL people in their time of need. It means reaching out to those you would really rather show your back instead of a smile or a helping hand.
How do we manage this? We call on God’s grace and mercy. We ask Him to fill our hearts with compassion for the other person…and we do this because Jesus does it for us. Certainly, Jesus had every reason to turn His back on you and me. He doesn’t owe us even a smile…much less Salvation and a home with Him for all eternity. Yet this is exactly what we are in line to receive.
Jesus provides us with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and understanding every single day – even though none of us deserves any of it. So how can we, as His disciples, offer others anything less? I can almost hear Jesus saying, “Suck it up, Buttercup! If you want to serve in MY army, you have to be willing to treat others as I would - even your ‘enemies.’” Where does this apply to you today? Who needs to see Jesus through your words and actions?
Are you making a point…or making a difference in your Christian discipleship? Isn’t it time to get this right?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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