Here are four ways you can answer your enemies.
Pray for them
Jesus did one of the most humanly impossible things when he asked, “Forgive them father, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Can you even imagine trying to pray for a person or a group of people (like Jewish religious leaders and Roman guards) who were torturing you, beating you, and then killing you for no good reason? Crucifying you? Jesus did just that and is saying what he tells us to do “Pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44b).
Love them
Jewish religious leaders clearly hated Romans, Greeks, and anyone who was not Jewish. Jesus was also involved in this hatred because they tried to kill him. He never prays for his enemies. Instead, they try to kill them, but Jesus expects more from his followers, saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies” (Matthew 5:43-44a). Remember, Jesus loved us and died for us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10).
Do them good
The Bible tells us that retribution is from God and therefore we are not to return evil with evil (Romans 12:17), instead we should do what Jesus said; “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). In fact, we should go even further and whatever “Slaps on your cheek, the other one also turns it away, and the one who snatches your dress, don’t leave even your shirt.” (Luke 6:29).
Bless them
Instead of asking God to curse the person who is insulting and troubling you, ask God to bless them. this is easy? no but we are told “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:28). really!? Bless those who curse and abuse us? Yes, that is what Jesus demands, but it cannot be done by our own human strength. Ask God for help and bless your persecutors and haters, even when you don’t feel like it; I would say, especially when you don’t feel like it.
conclusion
When you pray for those who persecute you, love and do good to those who hate you, and ask God to bless those who persecute you, you will never forget God’s blessings. There are no types. Furthermore, they must be confused to see us respond to their hatred with godly love. Maybe our love for them while they hate us can allow the Spirit of God to enter their stony hearts and lead them to saving faith. Wouldn’t that be amazing grace?
