How Do I Love My Enemies?ਨਮੂਨਾ

Repaying Differently

Les Misérables is a story about a man named Jean Valjean who was mistreated by the French judicial system because he stole a loaf of bread to feed some starving loved ones.

When he is eventually released from prison, no one will take him in, because he is an ex-convict. Finally, however, a bishop offers Jean shelter.

That night, Jean sneaks away while stealing several pieces of the bishop’s silverware so that he can sell them and get his feet under him. When the police arrest him, they bring him back to the bishop.

What was the bishop going to do? Jean had been caught red-handed. He was definitely guilty of the offense against the bishop.

Instead of repaying Jean evil for his evil crime, the bishop repays him with good.

The bishop tells the officers that he had given Jean the silverware, and tells him to take two expensive silver candlesticks as well, as if they had been forgotten. When the police leave after accepting the bishop’s explanation, the bishop tells Jean that he did what he did for the love of God, and that he trusted that his merciful actions would lead Jean to find God himself.

Jean’s life was forever changed after that encounter.

The easiest thing in the world is for a man to repay evil for evil. If someone slanders you, it’s natural to want to slander them. If someone hurts you, it’s natural to want to hurt them. If someone cuts you off in traffic or gives you a cheap shot in a pickup game of basketball, it’s natural to want to get your revenge—as if two wrongs will ever make a right.

Jesus comes with a totally different plan in mind. His plan is completely opposite to what is natural.

What if you spoke well of the guy who spoke terribly of you?

What if you gave to the man who stole from you?

What if you blessed the guy who cursed at you?

In Jesus’ master strategy, this would accomplish great things for you and the world.

Repaying hate with hate only breeds more hate. Repaying hate with love is the only true strategy for peace.

Prayer: Dear Lord—You are not making this easy, are You? If someone hurts me, I want to hurt them back. It’s hard enough to consider not hurting them back, but You actually want me to go one step farther: You want me to bless them. I do not have that kind of love in me naturally. I need a supernatural miracle to be able to love like that! Thank You for living in me and having that kind of supernatural love. Please help me. Give me creative ideas of ways that I can bless those who are my enemies. Amen.

Reflection: What are some ways that you can bless your enemies? Who comes to mind when you think about Jesus’ command to repay their evil with good? What will you do this week in obedience to this command?