I am forced to preach under something of a handicap this morning,” said Dr. Martin Luther King on a November day in 1957. His physician had instructed him to stay in bed, but King insisted on speaking.
Paraphrasing the words of Jesus, he declared to the congregation at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama: “You have heard that it has been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (see Matthew 5:43-45).
As an African-American living in the southern United States, which was stained with the sin of racism, Dr. King preached under an even more virulent handicap that gave his words all the more validity. “How do you go about loving your enemies?” he asked. “Begin with yourself. There might be something within you that arouses the tragic hate response in the other individual . . . When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it.”
As we consider our enemies and the animosity we harbor toward them, we’re wise to remember that we were once enemies of God! (See Romans 5:10.) But now, as we have believed in Him, “our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11). We now have the “task of reconciling people to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:18). That’s why God tells us not to avenge ourselves, but rather leave it to God who says, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back” (Romans 12:19).
The way to defeat our enemies is to show them the astonishing, Spirit-filled love of God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 25:19-34
More:
Read 1 Samuel 24 for the fascinating account of how David handled King Saul’s attempt to hunt down and kill him.
Next:
Should your next step in a difficult relationship be an honest apology? What should you do if people react with even more hatred when you try to love them?
tim gustafson on January 16, 2012 at 6:06 pm
To seek revenge is natural. To turn the other cheek is supernatural. I need Christ to show me how to forgive when I want revenge — or at the very least, justice.
alli on January 16, 2012 at 10:43 pm
someone on a tv show today was beaten by his enemy during the civil rights movement and he extended such extrodinary love to the man who beat him that the attacker broke and asked for forgiveness. HE had never been confronted perhaps with love by someone he hated and he probably thought wow i have no reason to hate you i dont even know why im doing it.
pri1465 on January 16, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Sometimes, though you forgive a person, you might not want to associate with that person as that person is bound to take advantage of the fact that you forgave them and then do it again? what do we do in a situation like this?
We can forgive but do we have to open ourselves to being wronged again? if we know that person is going to do it again and again and will never change
alli on January 16, 2012 at 11:02 pm
if they dont repent i dont think God requires you to continue to be abused, Persecuted and abused are two different things, abuse has no redeeming qualities, whereas persecution might. Abuse may NOT advance the cause of Christ ESPECIALLY if the person is unrepentant. I think you have to ask GOD it says do not cast your pearls among swine….!
alli on January 16, 2012 at 11:05 pm
besides it says love your neighbor as yourself, so i doubt its loving self to continue to let someone abuse you and take advantage of you, UNLESS God tells you to but HE already knows when and if that person is gonna repent, so you loving them inspite of will only bring fruit of conviction if GOD leads you to that person. Otherwise its kind of a waste of time and JEsus NEVER wasted time.
roxanne robbins on January 17, 2012 at 3:57 am
My 9-year-old Ugandan son wisely said last night, “The man who fights is the boss. The man who doesn’t fight is the real boss.”
osbert10 on January 17, 2012 at 5:05 am
Pray for me please my dad failed in his responsibilities towards my marriage and when i sat him down alongside my mum he didnt accept while my mum asked for forgiveness he showed no remorse. We are honour our parents yet the hurt runs so deep me being d first son gettin married in d family oh tears fill my eyes when i think of it , i need help here
rharvey on January 17, 2012 at 5:16 am
Have prayed for you this morning that God would draw you to Himself for only He can heal and that He would bless your marriage. As you stand for Him, he will bless your marriage and your children’s marriages will be blessed! What a wonderful NEW legacy to pass on to future generations!
lindagma on January 17, 2012 at 7:15 am
Oh what lessons I have to share. It took me years to figure out that I didn’t have to fight my battles..God was more than capable. I guess it prepared me for what was to come. When I was left at 67 yrs old…without a home, without transportation..not having worked for years and a very small ss income..I could only look to God. How incredibly he has taken care of me. I was given a car and moved in with my elderly mom. Even tho I had to leave my church & friends behind He provided me with a wonderful new church and special friends. In a way I never would have perceived, I was able to return to my former town. Now, in the passing of my brother, I’ve received enough inheritance to purchase my own condo..and have enough funds to make it exactly the way I like it. I’ve discovered a possible new career in “Voice Over” that I can manage as a senior for years to come and bring in income. Do I struggle with resentment over past abuse and being left stranded. Of course, I wouldn’t be human otherwise. But I know that this kind of thinking is only toxic to me and satan’s tool to bring me down. I can see how much better off I am…how much God loves me and that He does a far better job of taking care of me than any human I might depend on. To osbert10. I will be praying for you..you have done what God asks..now step back and let Him work. It might be years before you will see Him work. It’s been three yrs since all this happened to me. You might have to accept that some people will never change..but God will give you a peace if you let go and let HIM. And you will have the reward of a very close relationship with God…let Him be your Heavenly Father..He will never let you down.