“I’m going to get into the Bible today,” we say. We flip it open toward the end – New Testament sounds good – and we come to Romans 12. It starts out well.
Transform our mind, use our gifts, love one another – this is quite good. I like this. But then. Yes. We finish Romans 12. Something we read catches our attention. We don’t like it. We try to forget we read it. But it lingers. It steeps into our soul like black tea in hot milk (that sounds good). At this point, we have a choice. To take it seriously or not, what will we do?
If you’re like me, what can be found in the last paragraph (or pericope to be more accurate) of Romans 12 has caused us to want to ignore what we’re called to. It’s too hard. It’s inconvenient. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. And, if we’re being really honest, it’s frustrating.
The Calling We Christians Often Don’t Take Seriously
If God has never called you to do something you’re not okay with, you’re likely not listening to God, you’re simply listening to yourself. The words of God aren’t always easy to receive.
Let’s take a closer look at the last paragraph of Romans 12:
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 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.
Bless those who persecute us? Do not curse them?
Repay no one evil for evil? Do what is honorable?
Live peaceably with ALL?
Never avenge ourselves?
Take care of our enemies?
This all sounds nice. This all sounds honorable and noble. Until we have context for it in our lives. To bless those who persecute us is a nice idea until we’re getting persecuted. To live peaceably with all is quite difficult when others are bringing everything except peace into our lives. To never avenge ourselves is great until we have reason to avenge ourselves. To take care of our enemies is awesome until we have enemies.
[shareable]If God has never called you to do something you’re not okay with, you’re likely not listening to God, you’re simply listening to yourself. [/shareable]
The calling we Christians often don’t take seriously is the call to follow Jesus in the face of evil, in the face of slander, in the face of turmoil. We like the Bible when we receive encouragement, but we tend to ignore the Bible when we receive the marching orders of following Jesus into battle.
Our Marching Orders for Battle
Let me warn you. You likely won’t like this. I don’t like it either. But Jesus didn’t ask us if we like it, He has invited us to follow Him. Brace yourself.
38 You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. – Matthew 5
We have heard it said, “if a bully hits you, hit ‘em back,” but Jesus says something entirely different. We have heard it said “if someone threatens you, defend yourself,” but Jesus says something entirely different.
Do not resist the one who is evil. That’s easy when the one who is evil isn’t being evil toward us. When their attention goes to us? It’s on like Donkey Kong. Unless we follow Jesus. Unless we listen to His calling and decide that He knows best.
I’ve wrestled with this passage since day one of reading it. Why? Well, it’s quite clear. But, at the same time, I’ve heard and read many attempts to downplay it. What usually follows these verses is a long list of exceptions and the funny thing is, not much attention is given to what Jesus actually says. Here I offer no exceptions. Jesus didn’t. Just scroll back up and read those words again. I’ll join you.
I’m uncomfortable. Are you? Allow me to let you into my head – scary, I know.
But what if my life is threatened? Jesus says, “whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25b). Does Jesus really mean death? Well, true life begins when this one ends. So, why not? Ugh, this is hard.
Following Jesus isn’t easy. It’s hard! Anyone who has ever said that Christianity is a cop-out or a crutch hasn’t walked alongside Jesus. He comforts us, yes, but He also leads us through difficult situations. When it would be much easier to turn a right hook on the person who hits us, Jesus says let the hook be your willingness to not resist them.
Passive Following Isn’t Allowed
The calling we Christians often don’t take seriously is to actively follow Jesus in every situation.
Bless those who persecute us.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Live peaceably with ALL (as far as it depends on us).
Never avenge ourselves.
Take care of our enemies.
Don’t resist the one who is evil.
But how? How could we possibly honor and follow Jesus in these ways? The indwelling Spirit of God. God is not just with us, but He dwells within us. Molding us. Calling us. Leading us. Whispering to us. Comforting us.
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