Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The heart of the redeemed is so changed that he is able to return evil with good. This is a manifestation of God’s grace in the believer’s life when we obey God’s will and see His enabling love in our lives. Are we the loser to return evil with good? Certainly not! God in heaven sees all the sufferings that take place in the lives of His people He will surely help them.
Jesus teaches us in Luke 18:1 that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Prayer is the believer’s power with God. Persistence in prayer is not the natural habit of the believer. Jesus uses this parable of the persistent widow to teach this lesson. This parable encourages us to never stop praying even in the toughest of circumstances of injustice that we face. Our faith cannot be seen but our prayer life can be seen, it is evidence of true faith. It gives hope to the children of God who is going through any trouble, call upon Him and He will help you. He is always fair, always just, on our part, we must make sure we are on the Lord’s side.
The Apostle Paul urged the believers who suffered wrong to not take matters into their own hands to use carnal means to avenge the hurt they have suffered. Rather, to seek the Lord’s intervention through prayer.
I was once sorely provoked while on a bus trip home after a preaching assignment. A man took my seat. When I told him, he refused to move. All the seats in the bus are numbered. I cannot take another’s seat. I went to the driver. The driver confronted the man. He was chided by his wife. Still he refused to move. I was fuming mad. I was tired and needed a rest.
William Plumer observed, “It does not say that we must live in peace with all men, because that is sometimes impossible. The verse admits too much. There is a class of men, who are not satisfied when they have all their rights, nor even when you make many concessions. What they seek is strife, a broil, a contest, a law suit. Nor is the number of such very small. When thrown with them you can only guard against partaking of their evil spirit and hateful ways.”
William MacDonald said well, “But this delight in vengeance should have no place in the lives of those who have been redeemed. Instead, they should act honourably in the face of abuse and injury, as in all the circumstances of life. To have regard means to take thought for or be careful to do.” Take care to keep your Christian testimony before God and men in the face of persecution. Let the Christian’s response be seasoned with charity.
Our Lord forbids an unforgiving and revengeful spirit, by being quick to take offence, retaliating, having a quarrelsome and contentious demeanour, a keenness to assert one’s right, is contrary to the mind of Christ. The world may be at peace with such attitudes but our Lord says “ye resist not evil.” But rather, you are to have a spirit of universal love and charity. You should put away all such malice.
William MacDonald said well, “We should avoid any trace of snobbishness and should be as outgoing toward humble, lowly folk as toward those of wealth and position. When an illustrious Christian arrived at the terminal he was met by leaders from the church where he was to speak. The limousine pulled up to take him to a plush hotel. “Who usually entertains visiting preachers here?” he asked. They mentioned an elderly couple in a modest home nearby. “That’s where I would prefer to stay,” he said. Again, the apostle warns against a believer being wise in his own opinion. The realization that we have nothing that we did not receive should keep us from an inflated ego”.
What is this mind that we are to have one toward another? This is the mind of Christ undergirded by God’s love articulated well by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:1-3 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
It is during these times of affliction that a friend proves himself a brother. To be there rendering comfort and support, to be there to render whatever needful practical help. Sometimes, one’s presence speaks comfort and encouragement more than any good word spoken. It does mean sacrificing some of our time, energy, and resources for our leisure and even sleep.
The Christian shares the joys and woes of fellow Christians. When one in the body of Christ is afflicted, the rest of the people of God feels the pain of that brother and sister in Christ. The rest supports in whatever way would encourage and strengthen the faith of such an afflicted or happy one.