“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Mt 5:43–44 NIV
It goes against our human nature, but this is what Jesus taught.
But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; Mt 5:39 NRSV
If you are a Christian, then hatred and revenge are strictly forbidden.
Some Christians want to obey these commands to such an extreme that they become pacifists. But are victims of bullying or violence not allowed to defend themselves? If you see a weak person being attacked or abused, should you just stand by and pray? Does a Christian, as some claim, have no rights?
When Paul cast a demon out of a fortune teller, he and his partner Silas were beaten and thrown into prison.
How did he react?
So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Acts 16:24–25 NLT
No matter what happens to you, your love for God must never diminish. Anyone who blames God for injustice makes their situation even worse.
And how did God react?
Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:26 NLT
I know an ex-Muslim from Arabia who registered in Jordan as a persecuted refugee. The Muslim UN officials did not want to let him move to Australia as a refugee. As he sat in a UN office, an official was on the verge of rejecting his application, but then God intervened.
God sent an earth tremor. The building began to shake. The officials were shaken. They sensed that God was at work. Suddenly the official said, ‘Application approved,’ and she stamped the visa application.
How did Paul react when he was released by the Holy Spirit?
The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped and he wanted to kill himself, but Paul loved his enemies.
But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Acts 16:28–32 NLT
Some Christians claim that a Christian should have no rights, but this is not the case.
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.”
The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” Acts 16:35–37 NIV
Victims of bullying and abuse often make one of two mistakes.
Some learn to passively accept abuse and see themselves as inferior victims. Many sexually abused girls, but also boys, become prostitutes.
Then there are others who seek justice or revenge with hatred and anger. It is not a mistake to seek justice, but we must learn, like Jesus and Paul, to love our enemies.
