FIVE REASONS TO BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU charismanews/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/40722-five-reasons-to-bless-those-who-curse-you Here are five reasons why we should bless those who curse us. 1. THIS IS THE WAY OF A JESUS REVOLUTIONARY, EMULATING THE EXAMPLE OF OUR FATHER. The Sermon on the Mount is a counterculture, kingdom manifesto where Jesus calls us to live by different principles than the world and religious establishment) live by. And in the Sermon on the Mount, he gave this explicit command: “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” (Matt 5:43-44). When we do this, we are emulating God himself, who “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45). This is part of our calling to “be perfect” as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). 2. GOD DEMONSTRATES EXTRAORDINARY LONGSUFFERING TOWARDS THOSE WHO WALK IN IGNORANCE AND UNBELIEF. A few years ago, there was an atheist-inspired internet sensation featuring thousands of people who recorded short video clips of themselves claiming to blaspheme the Spirit. As I watched the clips, I said to myself, “Not too long from now, many of these people will be gloriously saved, sharing internet testimonies and thanking God for his mercy.” As Paul explained in 1 Timothy 1, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. . . . for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Tim 1:13, 16). 3. WHEN WE BLESS, A BLESSING IS RETURNED TO US. In many, many ways, we reap what we sow, and that’s one of the reasons Peter gave this exhortation to his readers: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Pet 3:9). What do you want to inherit, blessing or cursing? That’s what you should speak to others. 4. WORDS OF GRACE AND PATIENCE PRODUCE MORE GOOD FRUIT THAN WORDS OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION. There are certainly times when it is right to correct and even rebuke, but we must always do so in love (Ephesians 4:15) and patience (2 Timothy 2:24-26), remembering that, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15:1). 5. WHEN WE BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE US, WE BREAK THE CYCLE OF ANGER AND HATRED. This was Paul’s counsel to the Roman believers, following Proverbs 25:21-22: “‘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” (Rom 12:20-21). Let’s break ugly, destructive cycle of the flesh and follow in the footsteps of our Master who forgave those who crucified him. It is the path to life and blessing – not just for us, but also for those who oppose us.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 11:38:27 +0000
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