Do You Bless Those Who Persecute You?
Thinking about Romans 12:14.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
How do you feel when someone says something bad about you? Probably pretty angry, right?
Maybe we want to fire off a strongly worded text message to that person - or even better! - we could post about it on Facebook and let everyone know just how badly we have been treated by “so-and-so” and how terrible we feel.
That’s probably what many of us would feel like doing.
But remember, we are to present ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God (Romans 12:1-2). And God is concerned about our entire life - even how we respond when people mistreat or persecute us.
Christians Will Be Persecuted.
The church in Thessalonica faced persecution and Paul mentioned it several times when he wrote to them.
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, (1 Thessalonians 2:14-15)
…that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4)
Paul also reminded Timothy that persecution comes to all Christians who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12).
Persecution from the Immoral World.
Sometimes persecution comes from the immoral world that has rejected God. The world wants to be allowed to continue down its path of open rebellion against God, and anyone who lives a life or teaches things that make the world feel even slightly ashamed or guilty of their sins opens themselves up to the world’s fury.
Persecution from the Ignorant Religious.
Sometimes the persecution comes from religious people who are ignorant of God’s righteousness (Romans 10:1-4). Like the Jews in the first century, “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Their lack of knowledge can lead them to persecute God’s people who teach and practice the truth - like Paul once did (Acts 8-9).
Persecution from Brethren.
But perhaps the most difficult form of persecution is when it comes from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul endured moments when his own brethren persecuted and mistreated him (Galatians 5; Philippians 1; 1 and 2 Corinthians).
In my opinion, one of the most challenging things for a Christian to endure is when our own brethren mercilessly attack and persecute us.
The Biblical Teaching of Blessing Your Persecutors.
Jesus Himself taught His followers to bless those who persecute them.
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… (Matthew 5:44)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28)
Our word “eulogy” comes from the Greek word for “bless.” It means to speak well of someone, to praise them. While our persecutors have ill will toward us and speak evil of us (the meaning of “curse”), we are commanded to speak good of them.
Here comes the demand of the Christ; here is one of those hard sayings which caused a multitude to leave the Lord and walk with him no more. I truly believe that such a hard saying would drive many others away if only we took him seriously. - McGuiggan, Romans, 360
Paul echoed our Lord’s words when he wrote, “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat” (2 Corinthians 4:12-13).
When Jesus was crucified, He showed Himself once again to be our perfect example - even in blessing those who crucified, cursed, and reviled Him.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:33-34)
As Christians, we are called to be “living sacrifices” for God (Romans 12:1-2). Part of being a living sacrifice for God is blessing those who persecute us - just like Jesus did for us.
Our goal in responding like Jesus is not to make people think we’re so great, but to show them what a changed life in Christ Jesus looks like.
It’s meant to point them to Jesus - the one who died and rose for them.
