Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. -Luke 6:28
Archaic meaning of "despite": outrage, injury, contempt, disdain.
"Blessed are you when men persecute you," Jesus said. Well, this verse and others like it have given me trouble. See, we are promised persecution as Christ's disciples. But honestly, I have been very blessed in the other direction.
I have enjoyed cordial relations with nearly everyone I have met. Minor disagreements aside, I cannot recall a time when anyone has intentionally treated me badly or spoken to me in what I would consider a hateful, hurtful manner.
And there's the problem. If I am a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, shouldn't someone have taken exception to me and spoken or behaved in an untoward manner?
I tell ya, I'm feeling convicted that maybe I haven't been as faithful in living the Gospel (or sharing it) as I should be.
But God, being faithful, has provided. Over the past several months I have been dealing with an individual who seems to have gone out of their way to speak disrespectfully, behave arrogantly, and just generally make themselves as obnoxious as possible.
Now those of you who know me understand the ingrained genetic desire to have the last word and give as good (or better) as I get. In other words, to win!
"Happy shall be he, that taketh and dashest thy little ones against the stones. (Psalm 137:9)" is one of the most frightening and sobering verses in all Scripture, showing the depths to which our anger and bitterness at being wronged can take us.
But you know and I know this is not allowed us who have been forgiven so greatly. Forgiveness and prayer for God's mercy toward the offender are commanded.
And praise be to God the Holy Spirit, I have been able (perhaps reluctantly?) to return good for evil and ask God's mercy in granting this person a heart of repentance.
Now, let me say that this ain't me! You know my inclinations, partly (forgive me if I misspeak) because they may be your own!
But God provides and my prayer now must be that I not be filled with pride (a very real danger) at my gentle, forbearing nature.
As the man said, "I'm a forgive and forget Christian."
And the emphasis needs to be on "Christ"ian
