Being Kind To Someone Who Isn’t

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect..” —Matthew 5:43-48

Is there someone that has treated you badly – without provocation – perhaps because of a misunderstanding – or they might just be mean spirited?  If you are old enough to read this, then I am certain it has happened to you, more than once. It might even be someone close to you, like a friend or relative.  We want to vindicate ourselves – at least that is the feeling that often wells up in me. Hurtful comments or actions that are unfounded but pierce your heart. So what to do about it.

You have two options or maybe three.  You can retaliate – which never resolves the problem – but deepens the schism. You can “stuff” it – like water off a ducks back – you can deny the hurt and move on. And whenever you are around that person, there is a tension – unspoken – but a relational glass wall is there keeping you separated. Or you can do what Jesus said to do.  “What is that?” you ask. Love them, bless them, do good to them, pray for them. And be silent before men about it.  (I added that one.)  The reason is that if you do what Jesus said to do – you will not speak against the offender to other people – to win people to your side, if you will.

Some years ago, I learned this great lesson the hard way.  I was falsely accused by someone who was recognized as a spiritual leader. People came to me and said they knew what was being said was untrue – they were witnesses.  I was dumbfounded by the accusations.  I spoke to someone who was a familiar with what had happened and had great spiritual wisdom.  His advice to me – don’t defend yourself – God would vindicate me.  That was not what I was feeling at the time. But, when he said it, my spirit resonated with the truth of what he said. So that is what I did. You see, Jesus was not saying to do those things so that primarily the offender might be changed, but that we would have the heart of God. It was not about their heart, it was about my heart. “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”

We are called out to be salt and light, a peculiar people.  No longer living and doing like we once did, but having been born again by faith, we live and love by a new standard. Being willing to lay our lives down for others. Just like Jesus …

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” – Isaiah 53:7

It is easy – natural – to get along with people that treat us nicely – but we struggle when they don’t.  I know that this issue is much deeper than what I have written today. The take away is this.  In order to fulfill the second greatest commandment – love your neighbor as yourself – you must first fulfill the first commandment – Love God with all of your heart – mind – soul and strength.  (Matthew 22:37-39) God is shaping us in the image of His Son. To live like Jesus – we must love like Jesus. How we treat people – no matter what is a reflection of our hearts and our devotion.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:28-29

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone