“With Our Enemies”

Some years ago, two pastors gathered together for a training event that would help churches launch missionary work in Eastern Europe and parts of Central Asia. Both pastors woke up early in the morning, as it was their personal custom to pray and study the bible before their day began. The American pastor studied in his bedroom, in the reading nook he and his wife had for their personal use when they had guests stay in their home. The pastor from a former Soviet Republic got himself ready for the day and made his way to the hosts’s study. That morning did not go as planned as the pastor visiting from East Europe discovered that his host was a well decorated United States Marine, who displayed plaques, ribbons, and pictures of a number of fix-wing aircrafts from his time serving with the United States Marine Corp. The pastor was taken aback and after a few moments he gathered his thoughts and submitted himself to prayer and to read the Scriptures as he had planned. He opened the Bible to Isaiah 2:1-11, as his reading plan outlined for that morning.

The Gospel transforms completely

Paul is giving the Christian church a theologically rich letter that lays out the Christian faith from eternity past to eternity future.

As we are renewed in our relationship with God, ourselves, and others we see the Gospel’s power to renew the way we relate with our enemies, even.

God’s perfect love reforms us to love the unloveable, even

Romans 12:17–21 ESV

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.

Paul is leading the audience to a similar place that Jesus leads the church in giving the Great Commission. As we are to preach the Gospel to every corner of the world, so we are to treat every person under the auspices of our newness of life, even those that are not Christians and those who oppose us for Christ’s sake.

Repay no one…Be honorable—v. 17

Every relationship that we have is like a series of actions and responses that influence the way that we relate to one another. The more goodwill that we give to others the more goodwill that we receive from others receiving our goodwill. The issue with the similitude is that we tend to get lost in the transactional nature of giving and taking goodwill.

Paul compels us to resist the urge of our basic nature—since we have been revived by the Father, through the Son’s death and resurrection, by the power of the Holy Spirit—to express the character God is fostering in us as we reflect more of Jesus and less of ourselves to the world. This is called Sanctification. The process where the Holy Spirit works in us to remove the old man and letting the new man burst out, as a reflector of Christ to the world.

Paul reminds us of God’s word given to the Israel in Leviticus 19:18.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Then we see that Peter writes in similar fashion in 1 Peter 3:9.

1 Peter 3:9 ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

If we are called to be imitators of Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith, then we must regard others before ourselves. This practical notion of the Gospel is the flashpoint for us; here we are called to follow Jesus as he called to the disciples in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28-29.

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

While difficult, and a daily struggle, each one who calls on the Lord as Savior and Master of his or her life is to consider others before ourselves. We take to heart the goodness and faithfulness of the living God and focus on all that we are called to do in worship to Him, which leaves little room for criticism, jealousy, envy, strife, or condescension. We make it our aim to love as we are loved by the Triune God.

Called to peace—v.18

As we see peace is not a mere state of being, but it is the active living out of walking in the holy light of a Holy God. Trusting that He is sovereign over all creation, that not one dash, title, or hair of our heads goes unnoticed by His royal attention. It is also living under the comfort of the trust expressed by the Apostle Paul earlier in the letter to the Romans. Romans 8:38-39.

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In other words, when we know who we truly are, not as we see ourselves, as others may see us, or as the culture may define us, but as we truly are in Jesus Christ, described by God, that is to walk in perfect peace, and to be at peace with ourselves. This then leads itself to be at peace with others.

What can anyone or anything do to you when you have a basic and deeply rooted understanding of whom God says you are under His light? There is great comfort in being transformed by the Holy Spirit from an enemy of God’s grace into an heir of eternal glory with Jesus, which changes how we love and care for others.

Have you prayed for the man or woman who has slandered you? Have you prayed for the individual who is offended by your faith? To put in in the context of daily life, are you praying not only for the peace and security of Israel, but also for your Palestinian brothers and sister in Christ? Have you prayed for God’s work in the lives of the members of Hamas?

Being at peace is not just living the blessed life. Being at peace is seeking the peace that will one day come when eternity breaks forth with the return of Christ and seeking to show the world, especially the unbelievers, a glimpse of eternity as a child of God and not a recipient of His holy wrath.

The give and take of revenge—v.19

Just as someone does not put on clothing that has been soiled for a week to visit family or friends, subjecting them to the stink of the old man, so we are not to seek out to take matters into our own hands when it comes to the execution of judgement, revenge, or spite. Paul reminds his audience that God has made it clear to His people what it means to trust in who He is. Deuteronomy 32:35.

Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV

Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’

We are cautioned by Jesus to trust in God as we deal with all of our emotions and the indignation that comes from evil in our world as he teaches the disciples in Matthew 5:38-42.

Matthew 5:38–42 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

The judgement of those who would seek to harm us in any way begins by the resilience and self-control that allows the Christian to show meekness, compassion, love, and hope in the face of any trial or circumstance. When we see ourselves not giving like-for-like, but extending mercy and grace for curse, liable, and defamation then we can be sure that our walk with Jesus is closer then ever before. This renewed life is more real to us; sweeter to us that any other path the world might offer us in exchange for it.

The question we must face is “what does it look like to have a renewed relationship with my enemies?”

The give and done of a renewed life—v.20

Think through these hypothetical scenarios:

Would you offer food and water to...

an illegal immigrant?

a member of the LGBTQ+ movement who pushes for legislation to educate young children on the LGBTQ+ lifestyle?

a known doctor who has worked a lifetime for Planned Parenthood, conducting abortions?

a militant from Hamas, Hezbollah, Isis, or other terrorist organization?

As we ponder the questions we must admit that there is real emotional responses that linger inside us when we think of the actions some of our enemies have taken against us and our values. There is a real sense of indignation that the enemy would like to turn into hatred, if for no other reason to keep the unhealthy cycle of hate, murder, and chaos going until everyone is consumed by it.

Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley write:

Spiritual Formation Is...: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence Jesus’s Love Fully Given

A person rooted deeply in God’s love is a spiritually formed person. As people overflow with God’s love, they are a walking revival. They are viral. They are contagious. They are divinely attractive. They are a supernatural magnet. They are spiritually influential. They are living the normal Christian life.

As Ray Stedman states in his book Body Life, “The supreme mark of the life of Jesus Christ within the Christian is, of course, love. Love that accepts others as they are. Love that is tenderhearted and forgiving. Love that seeks to heal misunderstandings, divisions, and broken relationships.”

Paul makes it clear with the verbs that indicate action to care for the most basic needs of those who would slander, betray us, even kill us. When those who are against us for the sake of Christ, or even in personal attacks, our resolve is to be singlemindedly to show love for them for the sake of the Lord who saved us and the Holy Spirit already living within us and setting us apart from the world and its desires.

The promise and act of overcoming—v.21

We must remind ourselves as we continually dip ourselves in the Word of God that we are called to overcome not by our intelligence, wit, desires, think-tank groups, polls, opinions, friendships, cliques, or acts of worship and service. We overcome because Christ has shown us the way. John 16:32-33.

John 16:32–33 ESV

Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus overcame, once for all, the sinfulness and hate of the world not with an army of blood-thirsty soldiers, or a ravenous pack of vengeful people—Though some of the disciples were some of these. No, Paul calls us to overcome on a daily basis trusting the finished work of the cross. Why?, you ask. Simple. Because the cross is the strength for the weak sinner who trusts in Jesus as the one to give all that is needed to face the day, specially the love to have a renewed relationship with our enemies. By the same token, the cross is the the sure care against those who deride, harm, and murder His people. The case is closed because the one who was slain did not remain in the grave, but rose on the third day, and having ascended to heaven, he will one day return to make all things new and to judge the living and the dead.

How does the story of the two pastors end?

The American pastor, having concluded his study and prayer time, finished getting ready for the day and joined his guest downstairs, in the study. As the pastor came through the doorway, the Eastern European pastor asked, are all these yours? (pointing to the mementos from his military service). The American pastor proudly replied, “Yes, I served during Vietnam, and I taught fighter pilots during my service with the Corp.” The guest pastor replied, “I served with the red army before the iron curtain fell,” He continued, “I guess that makes us enemies.” Silence filled the study for a lingering moment. Then, with tears rolling down the stern-faced pastor from Eastern Europe, a soft and sweet statement broke the silence, “But God has made us brothers,” and quoting from his Bible study that morning, he replied, “Let us beat our swords into plowshares, and our spears into pruning hooks.”

The cross and the resurrection offers us the opportunity to come and seek renewal with God, with ourselves, with others, and with our enemies. Today is that day. For when Jesus returns, and our old man is not made new, the cross will not be a source of comfort or shame, but a terror to the one who in his pride turned away from perfect love to eternal wrath due to short-term vanity and glory.