Group Hug!
Posted by:
Bible Blogger on
March 30, 2007 at
5:56PM EST
One of the biggest issues that Christians face is showing forgiveness
and acting in love to people who actively try to hurt us, irritate us
or destroy us. If you're in the world, there's someone out there who
hates you. It doesn't matter how good you are or what good you do in
the world...SOMEONE will hate your guts.
Now, it's very likely you can think of one person who really would like
to see bad things happen to you. It might be as simple as them wanting
to see you get yelled at during school or work. They might unplug your
computer so you lose the work you've done in the last hour. Perhaps
they gossip about you to other people and start rumors. Some people
take their hate as far as to file false police reports, physical
assaults or vandalism.
What do you as a believer do when someone has those kinds of feelings
to you? Here's a surprising answer from me....nothing directly to
them. Look at this verse from Romans:
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved,
never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is
written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."" - Romans
12:17-19 (ESV)
A lot of people within the church today will tell you that you need to
get along with everyone under every circumstance. You're not supposed
to make anyone angry and you're supposed to just back off if you're in
a place to offend anyone. It's more important to show love than it is
to stand on the truth. If you have to hide parts of the truth just to
reach out to someone then you need to do it.
Look at the verse...it says "so far as it depends on you." That means
you're only responsible for you...not how someone else reacts to you.
If someone gets angry because you're a Christian and you live your
faith then there is nothing you should do to compromise your beliefs
just to get along with them. If they have a problem with you standing
on the Word of God then that's their issue and not yours.
That doesn't mean you rub it in their face. You don't grab a Bible and
slap them in the face with it. Being peaceable to them in terms of it
depending on you means you should look for opportunities to share your
faith but back off when you can tell it's having a negative effect.
Use wisdom to know when to react to someone and when to let them rant
and rave. Sometimes you don't need to respond when someone's
challenging you.
Let me caution, however, that you are in the world and there are
worldly consequences for the actions that some people take against
you. If someone breaks the law then by all means cooperate with the
authorities and even go into court to testify against someone. Forgive
them yourself but you're also to submit to the authorities and if they
say you need to tell your story in court then you need to do so.
Finally, let me say again: forgive. Let the anger and the right to
retribution go. I know it's hard...I've had many times where I've had
to let go of my strong desires to pay someone back for their spiteful
actions. I've also learned over the last few years that when you
forgive that other person and don't hold those actions against them you
feel better about yourself and you have a clearer perspective on things.
And don't fret...God is always watching. Those who do evil will not
always prosper. They may for a season but ultimately they will lose.
So forgive and to your best to be at peace with everyone but DO NOT
compromise your walk, your faith or your beliefs just to get along with
someone. Being someone's pal isn't worth offending Christ.
