Page 22 - September 2025 - Truth & Tidings

L – “Love your enemies.” Upon a personal mon in Proverbs and the Lord Jesus in
offense, how quickly the self-preserving, Luke, Paul, now in Romans, seems to
self-justifying and even retaliatory instinct focus on the humility of heart and the
surges. Yet, in considering the Lord’s com- heavenly perspective of the believer that
mand, it is the believer’s responsibility to are vital to be at peace with others. In the
direct his heart into the right attitude and case of active persecution, to not be over-
to engage his hands in the right actions come will require giving place to God’s
toward his enemies in response. This pro- righteous wrath and displaying personal
active choice to love by word and deed will care to the offender. The powerful effect
likely precede any sense of love, but, by is described in a vivid metaphor from
God’s grace, that can follow in due time. Proverbs 25:22, “for thou shalt heap coals
D – “Do good to them who hate you.” This of fire upon his head.” While this result
exhortation, while naturally daunting and may at first appear to suggest some retalia-
difficult, by divine enabling is possible for tory satisfaction, there is a greater, more
every believer to fulfil. We are to take, if productive purpose in view. These “coals
not make, opportunities to “do good” by of fire “are not Sodom and Gomorrah-like
helping, encouraging and showing kind-
ness in word and deed to those with an coals of divine judgment, but instead are
active animosity towards us. the burning pangs of divine conviction on
B – “Bless them that curse you.” Who a guilty conscience from the believer’s be-
would deny the emotional sting and lin- nevolent response to a bitter provocation.
gering hurt that unkind or untrue words This, in God’s purpose, can be the first step
can bring? How much more when it comes in leading an offender to a place of spiri-
in the form of a curse – an unwarranted tual repentance, recovery and blessing.
invocation of God’s judgment. Even then, 1 PETER 3:9 – God’s Intention
the believer is to respond with the very
opposite, a blessing that instead invokes and Your Inheritance
God’s favor and is expressed in words of Finally, by inspiration, Peter adds his
truth, kindness and encouragement. insight into peacemaking and peace-
P – “Pray for them which despitefully keeping by emphasizing the believer’s
use you.” We stand in awe of the amaz- personal obligation to respond in grace
ing examples of the Lord Jesus and later to a fellow believer with whom there is
Stephen in praying for their executioners. contention, and the prospective outcome
While most will not face such extreme that can follow. Peter, who had his share
situations, yet every believer, in whatever of difficulties with others, reminds us that
level of persecution, is exhorted to pray it is, in fact, part of God’s calling to allow
for God’s mercy upon his adversary and and use interpersonal conflicts to develop
for the spiritual blessing and recovery of the character of His Son in His people.
those who mistreat him.
He assures that, as difficult as they can
ROMANS 12:14-21 – be, conflicts, when surrendered to God’s
Benevolent Care Becomes will and surrounded by God’s Word, will
result in an increased spiritual maturity in
Burning Coals life and an increased spiritual inheritance
In addressing the same issue as Solo- in heaven.

278 TRUTH kTidings September 2025