It Matters…
Can we model a different way of responding to evil, injustice and hate as Christians? I hope so!
Name calling, retaliation, power plays, and manipulative coercion do not emulate the way of the Christ and His cross.
Jesus did not kill His enemies, He died for them.
He set in motion the ways of an upside down kingdom that is ruled through love, grace and reconciliation. Love trumps hate. Forgiveness snuffs out enmity. Grace dispels darkness.
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21 ESV
“Why rage against bad people? ‘Because they’re bad,’ you say. You add yourself to their number by raging against them. Let me give you some advice: Are you being bothered by a bad person? Don’t make there be two of you. By condemning the person, you join them. You increase the number under judgment. You want to defeat bad with bad and conquer evil with evil?… Have you not heard the Lord’s advice: ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good?’” -St. Augustine, Sermon 302, Trans. S. Watts.
Do good! Stand against injustice. But do it Like Jesus. Walk in the way of the master. He gave us a model for how to engage in our broken world. And it matters!
