“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:27-28
As we survey the brokenness that continues to persist in this world, we see how evil constantly manifests itself in a variety of forms. We, as Christians, see immorality on display all around and, with broken hearts, are drawn to our knees. In acknowledgment of the power of the same God who made the stars and the rains, the God who made life, we cry out in lament for those who are victimized at the hands of others. We plead with God to provide miraculous healing and to provide the peace that sustains.
But how often do we sit at the Throne of Grace with the same passion and beg our God to redeem the souls of the ones who inflict the horrors around us? Do we remind ourselves that the brokenness of a soul that has no demand for God is a soul in need of saving? Do we recognize that these souls require the same saving grace as the “good person” we see in the mirror?
We can be reminded with the words of our Savior that we must not only love our neighbor but also bless those who curse us.
Christian, we know that no weapons formed against us shall stand whether it be slander, attacks, or abuse, so why would we fear the hands of a mere mortal man? Our God gives us the tools to stand against the wiles of the enemy and emboldens us to stand firm against evil, even if we are to stand alone.
Do you believe that Christ knew all that we would endure? Scripture tells us that there is nothing new under the sun so while we have, in a month’s time, watched a Catholic school be targeted, seen a prominent Christian figure murdered in front of thousands, and continued to watch as Christian brothers and sisters are massacred in the DRC, we know that, throughout Scripture, many that came before us walked through similar pains and yet sought boldness in the hard times rather than to be taken out of the very seasons that would grow their faith.
As cultural persecution begins to rise in the United States and governmental persecution rises internationally, we can think of the New Testament disciple, Stephen, a man “filled with the Holy Spirit,” who was stoned for his testimony of Christ and yet used his last breaths to ask God to not hold in judgement the actions of those who threw the stones. We can think of the early church and how their faith only grew as it was challenged. A modern pastor recently referenced the Apostle Paul in the midst of his persecution saying, “Paul, [despite being] in chains, prays for open doors. Not open prison doors, but open opportunities for the gospel to be proclaimed.” What an excellent example we have that this kind of pure dedication to the Gospel is possible; we can truly, and without hesitation, proclaim the whole will of God’s good grace despite the reality of the world’s strife towards us becoming a burden.
So, let this be your call to action: Study the Word. Familiarize yourself with Truth so that when the time comes to defend it, not “if,” you will be more than ready to stand firm without wavering. As we walk through each day, let us not grow weary as we see how sin’s evil no longer hides itself but stands openly in the public square. Instead, get down on your knees in prayer. Address the Creator and intercede on behalf of those impacted by evil and those who inflicted it. Then, with fear of the Lord rather than man, rise up in action and with discernment and be a voice for truth. Be the salt that will preserve our decaying world and trust the hand of God to change hearts.
