In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that love does what is unexpected. “But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again” (Luke 6:27-30).
Love does not do what is natural, but rather what is unexpected. It is natural for us to rise up in anger when we are wronged, to want to get even with those who take advantage of us, or to retaliate against those who speak evil of us or insult us. Such responses are natural, but they are wrong. They are wrong because any thought, word, or deed that is not consistent with the character of God is wrong. The Bible calls such behavior sin. We don’t use such words today, but God still does.
Love requires that we act and not react when someone does us wrong in either word or deed. For the child of God, the heavenly Father has freed us from the earthly matters of payback or getting even. Paul writes to the believers in Rome, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
It is possible that we may not live peaceably with some, but it should never be so because of us. Rather, we should allow God’s wrath to respond, not our own. Consequently, we can do that which is unexpected. We can feed our enemies and give them drink. In other words, we can work to meet their needs. This is how we overcome evil. We leave the matter with God and do the unexpected.
Christ Jesus set the example for us to follow when it comes to leaving such matters to the Father when he suffered for our sins on the cross. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:21-23).
Love does the unexpected. By the grace of God, learn to act and not react. Solomon admonishes us “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:29). Trust God to deal with wrongdoings and work to overcome evil with good. By faithful practice make the unnatural that which is natural!
From the Chaplain 