Good Repaid With Evil
Good Morning,
Dr. Bob Jones Senior had many famous quotes, so many that they put them into a little booklet. One of those quotes was, “I don’t know why they’re mad at me. I never did anything for them.” At times, the people for whom you did the most, somehow become angry with you. John 3:16 continues to be an amazing statement. Why would God so love this world?
Whether it be friends, family, co-workers, or someone with whom you just happen to cross paths, may we not do right and live the generous Christian life because of what we can get out of it but rather because it is right to do.
I know that most of us will be kind to someone for the simple fact that they have a need that we can meet, but somewhere deep down, we also assume that kindness would be returned. When that expected kindness comes back to us in some ugly form, it does throw us off. A man said to me today, “I gave some money to a person who asked for it, they took it, and didn’t even say, ‘Thank you.’” We usually expect a kind response.
When Paul was talking about the ministry, he listed several elements that would be a part of the world in which the Christian lived.
2 Corinthians 6:4 “…in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,"
vs. 5 “In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”
We live in such a historically unique situation. America is filled with generosity and kindness, even among the secular world and amongst strangers. I know there are exceptions, and I know there are times when people are heartless, but it is almost normal to face kindness, smiles, generosity, and helpfulness – these characteristics are common in America. Yes, there are exceptions, but still live in a culture that is heavily influenced by “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Most of the world does not enjoy the cultural amenities that we take for granted. As a child of God, we walk in a spiritual world, and often that spiritual world is in spiritual battle. Satan would love to discourage us from doing right, being helpful, or being unusually kind. Moments will occur when people will act in such a way that we cannot fathom it.
Some time ago, I mentioned reading a writing by Charles Spurgeon; he wrote in regards to difficulties. He wrote something like this: “I would rather be robbed than rob; I would rather be hated than hate; I would rather be lied about than to lie.” That statement condenses the Christian life into a nutshell. May we do right in a world that is often very wrong.
In the passage above, Paul spoke about difficult situations that he would be “in.” Our goal is to keep doing right, to expect nothing in return, and to seek most of all to please God.
Pastor