(Prov 24:17,18 GNB) Don’t be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don’t rejoice when they stumble. The LORD will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and then maybe he won’t punish them.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 28th Saying: an Admonition on Gloating over Enemies. The message this morning comes down to the love-factor. While it is true that some people will not like us and others will go the extent of considering themselves our actual enemies, that does not mean that we have to do the same. Make no mistake, God will protect us… their poison cannot stop our purpose. If people purposefully rise up against us, the Father will see to it that they reap a negative harvest on the negative seed they are sowing. But when He does, and when bad things happen to bad people, that is NOT the time for us to celebrate and gloat over their calamity. No! God is love and if we are His children, then we are commanded and expected to operate in love. John wrote: “If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both” (1st John 4:20,21). That is about as plain as it can be. We ought not say that we love God if we refuse love others. Our passion for God is exemplified in our compassion for man.
Nobody taught or lived this better than Jesus. When teaching on how we should treat our enemies Jesus said: “Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person… If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it… “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier” (Luke 6:27-27)
So what does this mean to you today? There is a saying that goes: God doesn’t like ugly. And it’s ugly laugh at, celebrate, and gloat over people who are struggling, even if those people wanted to see harm come to you. Listen, there will always be people who do not like you and there may even be some that are out-right against you; but do not allow your dislike for the actions of a person to lead to a hatred for the him or her. Hate the sin, but love the sinner. Dislike the negative things acted out towards you, but ask God to empower you to still love the person acting them out. Love them enough to earnestly pray for them. Love them enough to want to see God’s best for them. I know this is a hard thing – believe me, I understand – but when you truly love those who are coming against you, you find yourself being transformed into the true image and likeness of Christ. Isn’t that what you want?
Closing Confession: Father, I know that you are love. You have power, You dispatch protection, You impart grace, and You operate in mercy, but You ARE love. Love is not what You do, Love is who You are. And since I am You child, called by Your name, walking in accordance with Your purpose, and representing Your Kingdom, I too want to walk in love. And not just the type of love the world operates in, but true love, Your love… unconditional love. Your love is developed in me so strong that I am able to earnestly pray for and bless my enemies. I take no pleasure in any harm done to those who want to see harm done to me. I know their poison can’t stop my purpose, so I am not worried at all, but I do pray for them, because I know that the venom in their heart will eventually eat away at them if they don’t release it. So use me Father to be a blessing to them and to all people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
