“ Loving Our Enemies ”

Romans 12:14 and 17-2

Pastor Scott Schaefer
July 7, 2024

 

 

 

2 Timothy 3:12-13 (ESV)

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

 

 

John 3:19-20 (ESV)

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

 

 

John 15:18-21 (ESV)

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

 

 

Romans 12:14 and 17-21 (ESV)

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

 

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 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.” 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

 

The call to seek to live peaceably with our enemies, determining to bless them, no matter what they’ve done to hurt us. Rom. 12:14 and 17-18

 

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

 

Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 

 

Luke 6:27-28 and 32 and 35-36 (ESV)

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

 

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

 

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

 

 

“You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies.”
Corrie ten Boom

 

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 

 

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 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.

 

 

Love is most clearly demonstrated when it is directed to those who deserve it the least, so we must bless our enemies because the Lord Jesus blessed us while we were sinning against Him. We are to avoid cursing others because instead of curing at us, the Lord Jesus, on the cross became a curse for us.

 

Romans 12:19-21 (ESV)

19 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.” 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

 

 

The call to not take revenge against our enemies, but to leave vengeance with God, determining to bring our enemies practical good, not harm. Romans 12:19-21

 

 

1 Samuel 24:6 (ESV)

6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.”

 

 

To take revenge is to respond to sin with more sin, and puts you on the same low level as the one who hurt you. Taking vengeance is to usurp God’s job, which He alone is fully competent to do, as He knows all things.

Romans 2:4 (ESV)

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

 

 

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

 

 

Luke 23:33-34 (ESV)

33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

 

 

 

Romans 12:14:17-21