The rules of life are, more often than not, diametrically opposed to the standard of living set forth in the Word of God.  This is probably never truer than how we are to respond when we are mistreated by others.  The world says retaliate, but the Bible tells us to do the very opposite.

Romans 12:14 (ESV)
¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  

Being a Christian is more than just memorizing the steps involved in God’s plan of salvation and being baptized.  It involves a life-altering decision that changes, not only how a person lives, but how he thinks, views others, and even how he treats his enemies.  No wonder Jesus said we must count the cost (Luke 14:26-30).  Being a real Christian involves a transformation.  Let me tell you right now, the only one who will do what Paul instructs us to do in this verse is the one who has truly been transformed by a renewed mind (ver. 2). 

The word bless means “to speak well of.”  It comes from the Greek word eulogeō, from which we get the English word eulogy.  We have all been to funerals.  The preacher who eulogizes the one who has passed away does his best to encourage the family by speaking well of the deceased.  Have you ever been to a funeral where the preacher says, “You know, Brother Smith was a terrible person”?  No, the preacher either speaks well of the deceased or avoids the character of the man altogether.  The point is, we are, according to Paul, to eulogize those who persecute us. That is not an easy thing to do, is it?

We are also to avoid cursing our persecutors.  To curse means to doom or to wish evil against.  This is almost as hard as speaking well of our persecutors.  Paul is basically telling us not to have any bad thoughts about our persecutors, and, remember, Paul wrote this at a time when Nero was severely persecuting Christians.  Nero was literally insane and often acted like a monster.  When it was all said and done, he had many Christians executed, including Peter and Paul.  Still, Paul says regarding these kind of people, do not speak bad things about them, but instead, speak well of them.  This would be a great test for Christians at that time, and truth be told, it is still a great test for us today.  What Paul is teaching us is that we are to treat others with the respect and kindness with which all humans deserve to be treated, regardless of how they treat us, and he is not finished.  Listen to what he goes on to say.

Romans 12:20 (ESV)
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.”

This is the way of the one who has been transformed by the gospel of Christ.  Not only do we speak well of those who hurt us and refuse to curse them, but we actually do good to them, and even pray for them.  This is what Jesus taught those who will be citizens in His kingdom to do (Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 5:44-48).

Yes, this way of thinking and behaving is far different than the way the world acts, but it is the way of Christ, and He is the one we must follow.  Even when it is tough, be a Christian.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things