MAY 12

Romans 12:17-21
Memorise Matthew 5:44
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you…”

This passage of Scripture teaches us what is the right manner to respond to the wrongs done to us. We are instructed not to render evil for evil but return evil with good. Don’t let evil take hold of you. Instead, we are to coolly, calmly and prayerfully consider how we can control our temper and impulse so that good can come out of the situation. That is what it means to “provide things honest in the sight of all men”. What we do, how we behave, will be seen by the people around us. As Christians, it is important that we show forth a good testimony in all that we do.

The phrase “if it be possible” implies that living peacefully with all men will not be easy. Yet we must strive for it, “as much as lieth in you”, meaning as far as it depends on you. Peace is a two-way street. We must do our part to live peaceably, even though we have no control over the other’s conduct. Verse 19 then assures us that it is God’s part to take care of us when others mistreat or ill-treat us. God will see that justice is done. He has promised and we rest in His promise. God will straighten things out. The wicked will not get away with anything. We do not need to get even, for God will see to it.

Above all, God wants us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). God commands us to show our love for our enemy in practical ways. If our enemy is hungry or thirsty, we are to provide what he needs. In our kindness to our enemies, they might be convicted of their sinful conduct, thus leading them to feel remorse and then to repentance.

Dearest teen, anybody can fight back. Anybody can curse and return evil. But if you do, what makes you any different from others? How can we glorify God? Do you remember how the brothers of Joseph hated him and threw him in a pit to die? They finally sold him to the passing Ishmaelite merchants, who took him down to Egypt where he toiled for many years as a slave. When he met them after many years, he was able to say, “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life… And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity” (Genesis 45:5-7). Joseph certainly did not take revenge, for he could see God’s sovereign providential hand in his life.

Thought: Our Saviour being reviled, reviled not again.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, help me to glorify You with deeds of love and kindness, even to my enemies.