“14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
In this section of Romans 12, Paul is giving his readers practical ways they can live out the Christian life. In today’s devotional, Paul will tell us how our life of service is to relate to those outside the church, specifically unbelievers and those who persecute us. Why is God glorified when we suffer persecution? Several reasons! God is glorified when we endure persecution and bless our enemies because…
- It makes us more like him. Jesus says,
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:44-45a
After an exhortation to love one’s enemies, Jesus says,
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48
“For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:35b-36
- We will be actively participating in God’s mercy toward sinners. In the same way that God gives common grace to both believers and unbelievers, we will pour out our love even on those who would do us harm.
“For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” — Matthew 5:45b
- It’s not easy, but it is rewarding. We will grow in our sanctification as we do what is hard. God will reward us for our difficult work of loving our enemies.
“For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?” — Matthew 5:46-47
When speaking of being persecuted by our enemies, Jesus says,
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note — your reward is great in heaven…” — Luke 6:23a
It’s not easy to love our enemies because we must actively work at loving them! It’s not simply a passive endurance of suffering and mistreatment.
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.” — Luke 6:27-35
- We join in the suffering of our Christian predecessors.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note — your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.”” — Luke 6:22-23
- It produces humility. Paul, speaking of the apostles, says,
“For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people…Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands.” – 1 Corinthians 4:9, 11-12a
- It’s counter-cultural. Paul, again speaking of the apostles, says,
“We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!…When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.” – 1 Corinthians 4:10, 12b-13
We appear as fools to the world, but if we are to be fools for anything, let it be fools for Christ.