It is human nature to hate one’s enemies and to repay evil for evil. Many wars have been fought over this instinctive reaction. Countries have been torn apart and families have been divided. Even churches have split over the need to have one’s way and to be right. Although this is the natural reaction towards those with whom we disagree and especially who means one’s harm, it is not the way of the teachings in the New Testament.
In our reading today from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
These words were written by a man who spent many years under Roman guard for the sake of the gospel. When he was not under arrest, he was stoned and thrown out of the cities and villages for preaching the gospel. St. Paul was not a popular person, even among the Christians in Jerusalem, who held him in suspicion as a spy sent to infiltrate them in order to persecute them even more. Yet, this man of God refused to hate even his cruelest enemies. This is because Paul known previously as Saul had known first hand the poisonous fruits that hatred can bear in one’s soul.
As a young man, Saul watched over the cloaks of his companions as they stoned Stephen, the first martyr for Christ, to death. In the Book of Acts we read, “Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died. And Saul approved of their killing him.”
It is Stephen’s words of forgiveness of his enemies that opened the door for Saul, the persecutor, to be later transformed into Paul, a herald of the gospel. Stephen’s prayer was answered when Saul met the glorified Jesus face to face on the road to Damascus. At that time Saul’s goal was to persecute as many Christians as he could find. Saul believed that he was doing this out of his love for God, but it was hatred that had taken control of Saul’s heart. The scriptures state, “That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.” Although Saul thought he was fighting the good fight for Almighty God, his actions of destruction were against God Himself.
When Saul came face to face with the risen glorified Messiah, instead of approval, Saul was chastised. Jesus spoke to Saul saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” This confrontation was the last thing that Saul could ever have any dreamed of happening to him. After this face to face encounter, Saul’s life was changed forever. The chief persecutor of the Christians became the Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles. No longer did Saul live a life governed by hatred, but by the love of Christ. Saul, now Paul, is the author of the most beautiful writing in the Bible known as the Love Chapter. This is why St. Paul could preach and teach against hatred of enemies, because he knew personally the way in which that path leads. Instead, Paul’s path became a path filled with hardship, but guided by God’s love. Yet, all of Paul’s hardship for Christ, he counted as joy for his Lord.
This is what happens when we follow the path of the Messiah. We are promised persecution, hard times, betrayal, affliction and adversity. The only way that we can follow the teachings of Christ and not be crushed by the world is to keep our hearts full of His Love for all peoples. Jesus gave us this example in His death, when He could have cursed those who had brutalized Him and nailed Him to a cross. Instead, Jesus the Son of God, pleaded with His Father to forgive His enemies. The reason that Jesus gave was because “they know not what they do’.
Too many times in our lives we are tempted to curse those who come against us. Yet, if we truly want to follow the teachings of Christ, we are taught to bless our enemies and to pray for those who mean us harm. St. Paul writes, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;* do not claim to be wiser than you are.”
It is this walk of love that makes being a Christian so difficult, especially when we try to do it from our own strength. The flesh has not been created to forgive. From the time of Adam who blamed Eve for his sins and Eve who blamed the serpent for her disobedience, we have inherited a corruptible nature that seeks self preservation and not forgiveness. It is only by living in the grace of God through Jesus Christ that we can truly forgive our enemies and walk in His Love. It is not our corruptible selves that can forgive; but only Christ within us, who overcomes our flesh, and seeks to love even our enemies. To live in this way is the secret of true harmonious living. For it is only when we put Jesus first, others second and ourselves last that we can know true joy.
In closing, may the words of St. Paul to the Romans be our own personal mission statement. “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” If we strive for these things and live our lives accordingly, then we can overcome evil with good.
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