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Bless

                 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14 & 17-21)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)

And today we come upon one of several passages we probably wish wsn’t in the Bible. The problem is that Paul isn’t the only one, or the first, to tell us to treat our enemies well. Jesus does, too. And there are examples set by the Father (Job 1) and the Son (Matthew 4.) It can’t be clearer. We are to love our enemies, bless them, and very specifically, not curse them.

If you turn your back or heap abuse on someone because they have turned their backs or heaped abuse on you or others, how are you any different from the one on whom you turn your back or heap abuse? And  if you’re no different, by what right do you accuse them?

I’m not suggesting that we not confront evil or stand against it. We must do those things, but we are to do so as lovingly, gently, truthfully, patiently, authoritatively, and as prayerfully as possible. We must not become evil by doing what evil people do, even in the name of goodness. 

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