07/25/2020
Have we ever wished that someone would face harm, or been happy when calamity struck them? Does watching a powerful person fall, or a politician we dislike meet with some terrible misfortune, bring us satisfaction? This is the nature of the world today, and sorrowfully it is an indictment of many Christian hearts as well. We wish that not only harm, but great harm, would befall those who don’t agree with us, and either openly, or deep in our hearts, we don’t want them to be conformed to Christian thinking, but to face disaster. We neglect God’s desire to redeem them as we long for their demise.
““Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?”
Job 31:29 NLT
This is a question that Job asked of himself, so it is nothing new when we see it occurring around us today. The root of such behavior has more to do with judging, hatred, and a desire to damn souls, than it does with any mistreatment, disagreement, or evil sin we might have faced at the hands of another. We are inclined to be unmerciful, or to turn our back on others, and to withhold the provision of God’s grace, that we ourselves received, from our enemies. We do this with little concern for their souls, and would rather see them lost forever rather than to be reconciled with God, and to reap the reward that Jesus secured for us. Let’s listen to Job’s response to this question he asked of himself, and ask ourselves if we can answer as righteously as he did...
“No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge.”
Job 31:30 NLT
Feelings of revenge, an eye for an eye, retribution, and hatred, are usually founded in our own pride and selfishness. Although God tells us in scripture that revenge is His (Romans 12:19), the need for it flares up in us like a wildfire, and consumes any righteousness we once had. These feelings are evidenced by such characteristics as intransigence, or haughtiness, and show themselves as we attempt to subjugate others, or stifle any spiritual, or moral, debate... we damn ourselves by giving up on wayward lives and the redemption of lost souls.
“Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:8-9 NLT
Winning over lost souls can be difficult, but walking away is easy. Putting in the hard work is often costly to us, and many times we see little if any obvious progress from our efforts, and tearful prayers. We can become disillusioned when a sinful man remains sinful, or a person continues to hurt us despite our best efforts to show them love, but this is Christlike behavior, and we are meant to suffer that others might live. This is our cross to bear.
“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
Luke 6:28 NLT
And, if we suffer...
“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
1 Peter 3:14-15 NLT
So , do we wish harm on those who don’t worship as we worship, have faith as we experience it, live sinful lives, or are yet to meet the risen Lord? Are we justified in wishing harm, or death, on them because they are tragically lost? No, we are to continue the debate, and hold fast to our struggle of faith, so that God can deal with them through our efforts, and Jesus can speak life into their souls. If Jesus could redeem Saul of Tarsus, and transform him into the Apostle Paul, then who are we to discount His efforts as they relate to our tormentors, and enemies. Let’s fill our hearts with love, and pray with an unrelenting hope for the souls of the lost.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for not giving up on us when we were living lives of sin. We thank you for sending your Son Jesus to suffer and die for us that we would be redeemed, and experience your merciful grace. We hear His words “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”, and they convict us as they ring in our ears. Forgive us Father as we turn our faces from those living in sin around us, or show hatred towards others; seeking revenge against them, because they have done us harm. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is merciful, patient, and pours your grace out upon us. Amazing is your love that has longed for us though we were sinners, and could see beyond our transgressions to reveal the unleashed potential that existed in our souls within. Praised be your name for every blessing we have received since the day we first believed, and help us Lord to bring many equally damaged souls to you. Hear our prayers for the lost, and help us to resist our desire to seek revenge against our enemies, and to resolve the hatred we feel for others. Have mercy upon us, and lead us by your Holy Spirit to unwavering righteousness, and a peace in you that is eternally joyous... shared forevermore with all who gave up the world for carry the cross of Jesus.
““You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”
Matthew 5:43-46 NLT
Rich Forbes