I don’t know about you, but I hesitate to do nice things for people who have never been nice to me. Why expose myself to pain? It reminds me of that old saying which originated in the 12th century but popularized by Oscar Wilde, De nugis curialium; loosely translated, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
Recently, a traumatizing event occurred where I was assaulted in a public place. It was shocking. I questioned God about whether I really needed to return good for evil with regard to this person. No one else expected me to. I complained:
“God, do I really need to do something kind for this person who has never shown one whit of kindness to me? In fact, God, all I get from this person is disdain and now it’s been taken to a new limit! Really???”
Now, this person isn’t some stranger off the street, but rather, someone with whom I must interact occasionally. But, my friend, God is so good. He answered my complaining prayer and reminded me of the immeasurable lesson He taught me in the last Beatitude—as well as the lessons on affliction.
God reminded me that—if my life is truly about Christ—it is never about me.
When my life ceases being about my glory or my comfort, it’s much easier to love my enemies in whatever way God directs. The Bible says:
“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.
And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a REASON for the HOPE that is IN you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is BETTER, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:13-17
Although Peter says that Christians should not answer evil with good, he also understood the real world where evil folks would take advantage of good. But he reminds us that when we belong to God’s family, we are not our own defenders. God is our protector and defender. He is the giver of all our blessings. We do not depend on either friend or foe for blessings.
With this perspective in mind, we can do God’s will—even if that means being kind to those who are evil to us. If we belong to Christ, our life is not our own. Thus, our ability to be kind is not our own…it belongs to God. And kindness which is given within His will is done by His strength.
Remember, we cannot manufacture the fruit of the Spirit—it must be produced BY the Spirit!
God will take care of us—even if we suffer unjustly. In fact, if our soul is born again, He has already taken care of us! Jesus said:
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
We are reminded that we do not need to cower in fear when we live in the glory of God’s presence. When we “sanctify the Lord God in our hearts” it means that at the very center of life there is one Lord, and that is Christ. If any other “lord” is on the throne of our heart, it will rule with fear. These lords are dark and powerful. Have you been ruled by the desire for wealth and experienced the fear of being without it? Have you been subject to the lord of your own selfish desires, the opinions of others, or the pressure of your circumstances, and then felt the ice-cold grip of fear when these “lords” exert their power over you? We are given a simple solution to fear…make Jesus the only Lord who has control of your life.
Everyone suffers…but our suffering is not in vain when we are able to use it for the glory of God.
With this mindset, I was able to respond to this person with the love of God. In His strength, I was able to offer help for the sadness which is the root of the bad behavior. I shared Jesus and how He continues to heal me and grow me from the wreckage of my sin. Because the exchange was on the phone, I could not gauge the response. And although there has been no response to the offer—I know the seed has been planted. I have peace—the peace that comes from knowing the path of God.
When we return good for evil—for the glory of God—then we can leave the actions of others in His capable hands!
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32
