Lesson Five
How Do Christians Treat Enemies
[In or Out of the Body]?Text: Romans 12:17-21
The objective of this lesson: to deepen understanding of how the Christian's "renewed mind" looks at and treats enemies.
For Christians in Rome receiving these instructions, these words were more challenging and complex than most of today's American Christians consider. There were enemies in and outside the Christian community. Some Jewish Christians had strong emotions against gentile Christians who rejected the Jewish proselytism process. [That can be documented in the Bible (see Acts 11:1-3; 15:1-5; 21:17-26)]. There were likely gentile Christians who had anti-Semitic feelings. There were Jews [who were not Christians] who deeply resented declarations by gentile Christians that they belonged to the God Who Jews worshipped from the formation of Israel. There were idol worshippers who regarded any Christian presence or outreach as disastrous. There was an idolatrous government that looked suspiciously upon the new religious movement.
As a basic context, the teacher wants the students to understand Paul was not discussing a hypothetical situation when he wrote about Christian enemies. Christians in Rome [and in most of the western world in the first century] were an unpopular minority. They did not occupy the role of many Christians in the southern USA--one of valued kindness often shown in favored [even preferential] treatment.
Point out that among the most vicious enemies is the person(s) who declares himself/herself a fellow Christian. Enemies within the Christian community can be vicious and without scruples.
Christians in Rome looked in many directions and saw enemies. (a) They acknowledged and worshipped only one God, and that was extremely unpopular in a civilization that worshipped many gods. (b) They could not be involved in activities that combined politics and idolatry or economics and idolatry, and that was considered ridiculous and dangerous. (c) They were confident that a resurrection occurred, and that was considered ridiculously impossible. (d) They were seriously divided among themselves as a Christian community.
Idolatry was so pervasive in first century cities that it was commonly impossible to separate idolatry and politics or idolatry and economics. Idolatrous statues and temples were commonplace anywhere there was a significant population. The prevailing view was this: "worship and show devotion to as many gods and goddesses as you please." In that religious/moral climate, devotion to one God while condemning other gods was quite unpopular.
Dealing with enemies was not a hypothetical challenge or hypothetical possibility in their religious/social environment! Paul's instructions were based on a daily reality for Christians who were a devout part of the Christian community in Rome. Paul's instructions were challenging!
In their situations, Paul's instruction was extremely challenging on a daily basis.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
This injunction was counter to prevailing views! Rather than subscribing to some form of "might makes right," Paul said the follower of Christ never prevailed by resorting to the practices of evil. If a Christian did so, he/she promoted evil and made evil a part of himself/herself. By resorting to evil tactics, Christians became a part of the problem!
Stress this understanding: When a Christian resorts to evil practices to counter evil, he/she (a) promotes evil and (b) makes evil a part of himself/herself. God's righteousness cannot triumph over evil by resorting to evil practices. The end DOES NOT justify the means! God's good is not achieved by doing evil! [Also note something is not evil just because a Christian does not like it. The issue is not personal preference but a genuine conflict with God's declared standards.]
Christians do what is right because of who they are in their relationship with God, not because doing right is popular among the people with whom they must interact. Christians will do right even when doing wrong is popular! God renewed their way of thinking. They represent God! They will be devoted to establishing a godly impression no matter where they are or who is around. God determines their behavior, not people. They will think and act like Christians even if people around them do not think and act like Christians.
It is extremely important that a Christian man or woman understands why he or she does what is right. The person who belongs to God thinks differently from the person who does not belong to God. Christians do what is good and right because they belong to God, not because they seek approval from humans. For that reason they will do what is good and right even if doing things good and right is unpopular with people. Christians act that way because that is who they are. They derive their identity from God.
Rather than seeking conflict, they respect and encourage good wherever it is expressed.
In pursuing peace, Christians are not obnoxious. They respect and appreciate that which is right any where it occurs. Christians do not discredit themselves by opposing what is right because the right was not generated by them.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Christians do not seek conflict. They seek peace. If peace does not exist between Christians and others [Christians or non-Christians], it will not be the fault of the people whose minds were renewed by God.
If there is trouble [non-peaceful expressions], it will not be because Christians produced, nurtured, or sustained the conflict.
The fact that the Christian is devoted to peace does not mean that peace will exist. There were those [and still are] who resented the living God and all who served Him. All the Christian could do regarding such people was (a) maintain a behavior and attitude that encouraged and welcomed peace and (b) respond with acceptance if peace was offered. In any situation, it takes more than one to bring peace into existence. One person can promote evil, but one person cannot create and maintain peace. All a Christian can do is offer peace as a genuine option.
Peace exists when conflicting persons or groups want peace enough to nurture and sustain it. It takes more than Christian desire and willingness to create, nurture, and sustain peace. Because the Christian individual or group wants peace to exist does not mean that peace will occur.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Evil seeks revenge. God's renewed thinking does not seek revenge. Wrath is not a human quality of godly people. Humans have too many flaws and make too many mistakes to seek a "just revenge." Humans act too much on emotion and too little on a comprehensive understanding of facts. Vengeance belongs to God (a) because God has no flaws and (b) because God has a comprehensive understanding of the facts. Faith places vengeance in God's hands.
Stress the fact that vengeance cannot be properly promoted by people because of (a) flaws in human existence and (b) the human lack of comprehensive understanding. Stress that neither is a limitation to God. In matters of vengeance, the Christian defers to God.
A Christian's actions are based on God's compassion rather than God's vengeance. The God of vengeance prefers to show compassion if people will allow Him too (consider Matthew 5:43-48). God's self-description of His character first focused on His compassion and grace before He acknowledged His vengeance (Exodus 34:6, 7). Since the Christian has fully received God's compassion, he/she is devoted to being compassionate rather than vengeful. He/she who was God's enemy (Romans 5:8) became God's saved one because the gracious God was compassionate and granted forgiveness.
Since the Christian is the product of God's compassion, he/she wants to be an instrument of God's compassion.
Thus, even if his/her enemy is in need, he/she with consideration responds to the enemy's need. By being kind to an enemy in distress, he/she challenges the enemy to think from his/her "God renewed" perspective rather than hate's perspective.
The objective of "renewed thinking" is to challenge others to "renew" their thinking. If God can be compassionate to us, we can be compassionate to others.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
There is only one way to defeat evil. It is NOT by resorting to evil's tactics. It is by doing good. Those who dare to be living sacrifices may become dying sacrifices in the battle against evil. The Christian who willingly dies for devotion to God's work in Jesus Christ understands God uses righteous deaths as well as righteous lives to achieve His purposes in this world.
In defeating evil, there are neither short cuts nor inexpensive efforts.
For Thought and Discussion
Stress the fact that they encountered people every day who either despised Christians or were deeply suspicious of Christians.
The follower of Christ never prevails by resorting to the practices of evil.
Christians seek peace.
T
he only way to defeat evil is by doing good.
