Musing – Why and How Should We Bless Our Persecutors?

Hebraic Musing – Why and How Should We Bless Our Persecutors?

In a recent musing about our “Inevitable Persecution” I signed off with…Let’s “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Admittedly, that is  a rather difficult admonition to accept and to apply.  A dear friend confessed candidly that he has difficulty feeling that way.  He recited OT examples of retaliation; and he didn’t go so far as to mention the examples of retaliation we witness in the world as-well-as in our own thoughts and reactions.

Why should we bless those who persecute us?  Simple answer – the Bible told us to.  “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Rom 12:14 NIV     I just love the way the Bible explains the reasoning for statements typically right after the statement itself; so let’s continue reading in Romans 12:16-19 “Live in harmony with one another…  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.

Persecution levels range from -
 - mild versions, like those from people who might snub us for our beliefs and “unfriend us on FB”   
 - to extreme versions; those who want to utterly destroy us or kill us because our beliefs conflict with their beliefs

How might we bless those who persecute us?  The Bible tells us how; let’s continue reading in Romans 12:20-21 “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Have you ever heard testimonies of guards in prisons or death camps accepting Christ based on the witness of their prisoners?

Can we accept that awesome level of the love Jesus has for us?  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8  And He also loves and died  for those who are persecuting us!  So…WWJD – in like way we should also show love for others whether they are friends (thus easy to love) or enemies (who claim you are wrong and want to harm you).  After all, we are both God’s children, made in the image of God.  “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;…” Gen 1:27  

David understood the challenge and his responsibility when he penned “Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.”  Ps 119:157    And I understood that challenge.  Shortly after accepting Christ I went to our priest grousing about the problems I was experiencing ministering to someone.  I still remember his response – “Who ever said ministry was going to be easy?!?!”

However, if you feel you have never been persecuted, consider Paul’s warning “… everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,…” 2 Tim 3:12