How do you like it when people say evil things about you? Is your immediate reaction to spout evil things about them? Do you believe you are justified in doing so? Do you believe it is the right thing to do? Have you considered how you should react as a follower of Jesus?
It is not uncommon for people to say evil things about other people. We hear it every day. We may hear it in our workplaces. We likely hear it on the news, if we watch the news. We may hear it in our homes. We may even hear it in our churches. But that doesn’t make it right.
Jesus tells us that we are blessed when people say evil things about us when it is on His account. In other words, if we are following His commands and His example and people are saying evil things about us, we are blessed. Jesus says our reward in heaven is great. Why? Because we are following His commands and His example. So, what are His commands and His example?
Jesus told us to love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). He has also demonstrated to us God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We are to return God’s love with our love for him. We are to love our neighbor in the same way God loves us. We show God’s love for others by caring for them, putting them before ourselves, and freely giving ourselves for them. We must give up our own preferences to show God’s love.
If we are going to follow Jesus’ example, we must show grace to others. This means we are to bless them, even if they curse us. We must help provide for them when they are in need. We are to show mercy by reducing or eliminating punishment for their actions. We must forgive them when they make false statements or harm us. None of this comes naturally nor is it easy. Yet, to be a committed follower of Jesus, it is our task. We cannot do it alone. We must lean on the Holy Spirit to guide us along this difficult path.
I pray we all choose to obey Jesus. I pray we choose to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we know we are blessed when people speak evil things against because we are following Jesus. Obey Jesus. Follow Jesus. Follow Jesus’ example. Love others. Show grace to others. Know you are blessed.
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Marty Pressey 