Words of Encouragement from the Scripture: Romans 12:14-19

14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” Really? Is this not rewarding the wrong doer? The person wronged needs to be proactive, and do something for the persecutor. How can it be? Where is justice? The one in the wrong receives the blessing. What about the person persecuted? But this is the word of God. We are to bless the people who try to make life impossible for us, who try to undermine anything we do, who delights in seeing us hurt. Now we have to turn around and bless them. Is there no justice? Yes there is justice but it is not our business.

17” Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” So, now the question is not about justice but about honor. When we are wronged we ask how can we react in such a way that all will feel honored. In essence when wrong is done, we do what is right. But should the wrong doer go scotch free or go blessed?

19”Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Yes, there will be justice but God is saying it is not our job to bring it about. Avenging ourselves can land us in real trouble and cause much pain. God wants to free us from unnecessary pain That is his job and he knows exactly how to do it. However, we cannot bless hoping that their heads will be burning with coal. That is not a blessing. Blessing means praying for the same people who hurt us and doing them good. It means seeking to communicate to your enemy that because of Christ in you there is a capacity in your heart to forgive, to love beyond human reasoning, to accept the hurt by setting the persecutor free. Such a response will result in healing that will bring great freedom to us. Nevertheless it is a response that requires reliance on God’s grace to bring about. We do that freely and graciously and leave the rest in God’s sovereign wisdom.

@Solomon Kendagor

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