“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
(Romans 12:14)
The command of Romans 12:14 goes miles beyond refusing to strike back at those who injure us. It requires believers to desire the good of their enemies and to pray sincerely for those who persecute them. This is one of the clearest demonstrations of how deeply the gospel changes the natural inclinations of fallen man.
Human nature does not easily forgive. Even when we refuse to cause harm ourself, we may secretly hope that harm will come from some other direction. Such hidden vindictiveness is contrary to the spirit of Christ. The command is not, “Do not curse,” but “Bless.”
To bless those who persecute is to seek their good. It means praying that the Lord would show them mercy, grant them repentance, restrain their evil, and bring them to salvation. This is difficult because persecution wounds our pride and stirs our desire for self-defense. But Scripture does not lower the standard just because obedience is difficult. Instead, it directs believers to the power of God, who is able to subdue the bitterness of the heart.
Consider Christ, who endured hostility, false accusation, ridicule, violence, and crucifixion, yet He did not return evil for evil. His conduct reveals the true character of divine love. Those who are united to Him are called to reflect that same spirit, not perfectly in this life, but genuinely and increasingly.[1]
Personal pride is behind much of our difficulty in forgiving. Our heart says, “I did not deserve to be treated this way,” and therefore feels justified in bitterness. Yet the gospel reminds every believer that he has received mercy far greater than any mercy he is called to show. God has forgiven sins committed against infinite holiness. The Christian who remembers this grace realizes he can do nothing less than also forgive offenses against himself.
The command to bless those who persecute us calls believers to a way of life that is impossible apart from grace but entirely fitting for those who have been shown mercy. The one who has been blessed by God becomes able, by the Spirit’s power, to bless even those who have done him harm.
Contemplations:
- Confessing The Bitterness I Hide. I realize that I can appear peaceful outwardly while inwardly rehearsing injuries, defending my anger, or wishing that those who wronged me would suffer. This passage forces me to examine not only what I do, but what I desire. I need to confess every hidden wish for revenge and every satisfaction I have taken in another person’s trouble. The Lord sees what no one else sees, and He calls me to a heart that truly blesses those who wrong me. I want His grace to cleanse my motives and make my forgiveness sincere.
- Confessing My Pride When I Am Wronged. Much of my resentment grows from wounded pride. I often feel that I should have been treated better and that the injury done to me gives me permission to remain angry. Yet I forget how much mercy I myself have received from God. My sins against Him are greater than any offense another person has committed against me. When I remember the forgiveness given to me in Christ, my claims to bitterness appear far less defensible. Lord, humble me enough to forgive because I know how freely I have been forgiven.
- Confessing My Failure To Pray For Enemies. It is one thing for me to stop speaking against someone who has hurt me; it is another to pray sincerely for that person’s good. I often find myself willing to remain silent, but without genuine concern for their wellbeing. But to bless means that I should desire mercy, repentance, and spiritual good even for those who have opposed me. I need the Spirit of Christ to change my heart so that I can seek their highest good without denying the wrong they have done.
- Confessing My Self-Importance. The same pride that makes forgiveness difficult also makes humility difficult. But the gospel calls me to sympathy, lowliness, and love. I need to confess the ways I have thought too highly of myself and too little of others. Christ did not save me so that I might become proud of grace, but so that His humility and love might increasingly shape my life. I want to become more teachable, more compassionate, and more willing to serve without seeking recognition or praise.
Prayer (Confession):
Merciful Father, I confess that I have not obeyed this command as I ought. I have often restrained outward feelings while allowing bitterness to remain within my heart. I have remembered injuries, defended resentment, and sometimes desired that those who hurt me would themselves experience harm.
Forgive me for every sinful wish for revenge. Cleanse me from the hidden satisfaction I have felt when those who opposed me suffered disappointment or trouble. Teach me to bless sincerely and not just appear forgiving.
I too soon forget how much mercy You have shown me in Christ and how freely You have forgiven sins far greater than any wrong committed against me. Humble me beneath the cross and make me quick to extend the mercy I have received.
Forgive me for failing to pray for my enemies. Give me grace to seek their true good, to desire their repentance, and to pray for their salvation.
I also confess my self-importance, ambition, and pride of opinion. Make me lowly in heart, willing to associate with the humble, ready to rejoice with those who rejoice, and able to weep with those who weep.
Form in me the character of Christ and teach me to answer evil with blessing, hatred with love, and persecution with prayer.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 Cor. 4:12
[1] Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, New Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Louis Kregel, 1882), 626-629.
