This is a time of the year that is characterized with celebration and laughter for many people but we know better that this is not necessarily true. There are many who have their joy inhibited because they are hurting. They are hurting because someone or something robbed them the wrong way.
No matter how hard we try to deny it, the truth is, we live in a world in which two opposing forces are at work. They are the force of evil and good. These forces have no regard for age, gender, race or season. They are constantly at work in the world, manifesting in the form of hatred and love, cursing and blessing and so forth.
Tucked away in a letter written long ago to some Roman Christians
lies the instructions on how to live victoriously in a world steeped in both evil and good. In reality, the author of the letter culled the instructions from the book of proverbs and the teachings of Christ.
Here is an adapted version of the wise counsel:
Bless them which persecute you; bless and do not curse them.....Repay no one evil for evil.....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." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Surely, this looks like a tall order, doesn't it? Well, I submit to you that the world will be a better place to live if we all comply with the above instructions.
Let me quickly share with you some of my thoughts regarding the instructions above.
The Prevalence of Vexation
In the world in which we live, it is almost impossible to escape from vexation. There is always something to vex us, at home, in school, the place of work or worship center and so forth.
Vexation comes to different people in different forms and at different times including Christmas.
When people are vexed, how do they react? The average person will either withdraw or get back at the one who is perceived to cause his or her vexation. That is the genesis of "an eye for an eye" philosophy of life, the pidgin version of which is "you do me, I do you, God no go vex"
There is a fundamental problem with this philosophy.
The Problem with Vengeance
In a bid to get back at perceived enemy, we often end up hurting ourselves and other innocent people. This is the fundamental problem with taking vengeance.
It was William Shakespeare who said:
Love me or hate me, both are in my favor....If you love me, I'll always be in your heart...., if you hate me, I'll always be in your mind.
In other words, we are both at the receiving end of our hatred or love. We are the very first person who suffer the consequences of our own disposition toward others.
No wonder the inspired writers warn us against taking vengeance. If we are not to repay evil for evil, what should be our disposition when we are vexed?
The Path to Victory
Here is the path to victory:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
As darkness cannot be dispelled with darkness, so hatred cannot be overcome with hatred nor evil with evil. The path to victory consist in overcoming evil with good.
We know that the only way to dispel darkness is with light. In like manner, the only way to overcome evil is with good. So, as we celebrate Christmas, remember to do good to your enemies.
I know of no better way to quickly convert your enemies to friends than to demonstrate to them the God-kind of love that shows kindness to both good and evil people alike on a daily basis.