Learning To Do Good to Those Who Oppose Me

In review of Luke 6:27-29 it says, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.”

Bottom Line:

Love those who are against you, even bless and pray for their happiness. Try not to let their offenses against you bother you.

What this means to me:

I am to love my enemies and do good to those who hate me. I should bless and pray for the happiness of those who curse or mistreat me. I should not let their offenses bother me.

This passage reminds me that when I get persecuted, harassed, and face opposition, I need to respond with a blessing rather than my knee-jerk reaction to retaliate.

Jesus says in Luke 6:27-29, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also” (NLT).

I have to admit that this is not my first reaction.  However, it’s what Christ would want me to do. It’s what sets me apart. It’s not a natural or popular or easy response. In fact, it will take a lot of courage to do. Any fool can fight back. Any wimp can retaliate. Any idiot can say something mean back.

God wants me to love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me, pray for those who hurt me, and turn the other cheek. Is that easy? No. However, I can do this by being filled with God’s love. If I do, this can be the most powerful form of witness.

When I refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love at work or with somebody who doesn’t like me, God will be pleased. And, I’m going to be blessed.

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12a).

Jesus paid a high price for me. He says there’s a price to be paid for following him. Popularity on Earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian, but my reward in Heaven is a guarantee.