“Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers,
be tenderhearted and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
I Peter 1:8-9
In the sermon on the Mount the Lord makes an amazing statement. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”
When one first reads that statement it is shocking. If someone
attacks me and wants to take what I have I should not resist? In fact I
should give them more than what they demand?
The Lord uses an extreme example to teach us a lesson about the life a believer is to lead. If we are to love our neighbor as ourself it means we humble ourselves and put them ahead of us. If they attack, Christians do not retaliate but rather pay back with blessing instead of returning evil for evil. When we read the Lord’s command we know we are not capable of living that way in our own strength. Only the power of God through the Holy spirit could transform our human natures so that we could respond to cursing with blessing.
The story is told of the great preacher, Charles Surgeon. He pastored in London at the same time as another minister, Joseph Parker. Both pastored large churches in the city. One day Parker was asked about the orphanages that were run by Spurgeon for the street children of London. Spurgeon had a great love was for “his” orphanages. In fact he gave away most of the money that he ever made to these orphanages. Parker said to some members of his church, “We ought to help Spurgeon with his orphanage, for there are times when the boys don’t have proper clothes, and I am sure they could use some food.” One of the people who heard Parker that day twisted what he had said and it was reported to Spurgeon that Parker had criticized the orphanage and its failure to properly feed or clothe the orphans. Spurgeon was beside himself with anger. (He had a temper.) The
following Sunday, with newspaper journalists in attendance, Spurgeon ripped into Parker for the malicious comments he made toward the ministry of another brother in Christ. Spurgeon’s comments were printed in the newspaper for all to read. A reporter raced to Parker’s home to ask him if he would respond to Spurgeon’s attack. Parker replied that he would answer Spurgeon’s comments the following Lord’s Day.
On that Sunday large crowds of people attended Parker’s church to hear his rebuttal. Eventually Joseph Parker took the pulpit. When he stood he said, “Brother Spurgeon is sick today and cannot preach. This is the day when he takes up an offering for his orphans. May I suggest that we take up that offering for him in our church, for he’s doing a great work, and I know all of us would like to have a part in it.” The people responded. Deacons had to pass and empty the offering plates three times. After the service the money was taken to Spurgeon.
The following week Spurgeon went to Parker’s study. Spurgeon said, “You have more of the spirit of Jesus Christ than any man I know. You know, Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have not given me
what I deserved, you have given me what I needed.” That is why Peter tells us, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but with blessing.” God works through our kindness.