Today’s passage has piles of short exhortations. It contains about 28 exhortations. How are we supposed to read passages like this? Our liturgist has just read the passage. And what do you remember from those 28 exhortations? What will you remember after you go out from this place? What is Paul’s one-word theme for today’s passage? The answer is “LOVE” – Christian love. Today’s scripture is the answer to the question, “What does Christian love look like in everyday life?” And we may summarize those 28 exhortations into 3 statements with John Wesley’s language:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.
Do No Harm
The first simple rule is “Do no harm.” In today’s passage, particularly from verses 14 to 21, there are four resounding negative imperatives: “Do not curse” (14), “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (17), “Do not take revenge” (19), and “Do not be overcome by evil” (21). All these four exhortations say the same thing in different words, that is, “Do no harm.” On the surface, this first rule looks easy and simple. And we think that we are already practicing it and doing quite a good job. But when this first simple rule is really practiced, it transforms us, it transforms the world around us. For instance, if I am to do no harm, I can no longer gossip. What is gossip? Merriam-Webster defines gossip in this way: “a person who reveals personal or sensational facts” or “rumor or report of a personal nature.” Some people would say that gossip is when you spread rumors that aren’t true. But actually, gossip is more than that: If I talk bad about somebody who’s not present – that’s gossip. If I talk about somebody who’s not present and I share things without that person’s permission – that’s gossip. If I talk about somebody who’s not present and I say anything with a motive of tearing that person down – that’s gossip. What I’m saying might be true, but that doesn’t mean I ought to be saying it.
We may think gossip is just a small sin and can be tolerated as part of our life. But it is actually a serious sin that can destroy the entire community of families, churches, and societies. In the year 2000 the wildfire in Black Hills, South Dakoda, destroyed over 83,000 acres of National Forest land. It cost $9 million dollars to put out the fire. $11 million to plant new trees and repair the roads, and the destroyed timber was valued at $22 million. And it all started with one match. A woman named Janice Stevenson, 46 years old, from Newcastle, Wyoming, was driving through the forest. She stopped to look at something, and she lit a cigarette. She dropped the match, got back in her car and went on her way. And before long, 83,000 acres of beautiful forest were destroyed by one little match.[1] The Bible says, “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:5b-6a). Let us stop gossiping. Let us not tell anyone else’s story either in person, or on the phone, or on social media unless it builds up those involved and the body of Christ.
Therefore, one of the practical ways to live out the first simple rule, “Do no harm” in our daily living is to examine ourselves and confront the sin of gossip in our own lives, and stop gossiping in any circumstances. This is the act of disarming, laying aside our weapons and desires to do harm. We all have desires to win other people to our side, especially when we think it is not fair. In this process we often gossip, manipulate, speak only half-truths. But when we resolve to do no harm, we can no longer gossip about the conflict. We can no longer manipulate the facts of the conflict. We can no longer speak badly about those involved in the conflict. It does demand self-denial and a radical trust in God’s character, intervention, and guidance. The Lord says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (19). Only when we trust this promise of God, we are then able to disarm ourselves and leave it to God without bitterness.
Do Good
However, the Christian love is much more than just “Do no harm.” Each of Paul’s four negative imperatives is followed by a positive counterpart. In other words, we are not to curse, but to bless (14); we are not to retaliate, but to do what is right and to live at peace (17-18); we are not to take avenge; but to leave this to God, and meanwhile to love our enemies (19-20); and we are not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good (21). Again, these four positive exhortations can be summarized in the following statement: “Do good.”
It does sound simple and crystal clear, but where do we begin? Do good to whom? Today’s passage clearly tells us that we must do good to our enemies (17-21) as well as our friends (9-16). Why do we ought to do good and love our enemies? Because it is the only way to overcome evil. And because it is the only way to transform our enemies into our friends. J.R.R. Tolkien gives us a picture of this dynamic in The Lord of the Rings. Any good person who used the ring of the evil lord, Sauron, to put him down would become evil in the process. Tim Keller rightly comments in this way: “This meant that “victory,” if pursued (or even achieved) in the wrong way, would be utterly hollow— it would in fact be a defeat, because in becoming evil to beat evil, the ring-wearer would have allowed evil to win.”[2] Evil multiplies evil. Violence multiplies violence. Hate begets hate. This is the chain reaction of evil. Dr. King proclaims this truth in a powerful way: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”[3] And he continues in his sermon “Loving Your Enemies”: “Do to us what you will, and we shall continue to love you… Throw us in jail, and we shall still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our community at the midnight hour and beat us and leave us half dead, and we shall still love you… One day we shall win freedom, but not only for ourselves. We shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.”[4]
So where do we begin? Ideally, it would be great if we don’t have any enemies. But for some reason we do have our natural enemies who are different from us, who don’t like us and even hate us. And if we really pursue the narrow path and a godly life, we meet those who will persecute us (cf. 2 Tim 3:12). How do we do good to them? Our Lord Jesus tells us the first step to loving our enemies. It is to pray for them. Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!” (Matt 5:44) Not just once, twice, or occasionally, but day by day and on a regular basis. Not just pray in general, but pray specifically for their salvation, for their families, for their physical strength, for their spiritual health and growth, for their God-given vision and purpose of life. Then, we will be true daughters and sons of our heavenly Father who is merciful, compassionate and forgiving to everyone: the good and bad, the nice and nasty (cf. 5:45).
Stay in Love with God
It does sound simple and crystal clear, but where do we begin? Do good to whom? Today’s passage clearly tells us that we must do good to our enemies (17-21) as well as our friends (9-16). Why do we ought to do good and love our enemies? Because it is the only way to overcome evil. And because it is the only way to transform our enemies into our friends. J.R.R. Tolkien gives us a picture of this dynamic in The Lord of the Rings. Any good person who used the ring of the evil lord, Sauron, to put him down would become evil in the process. Tim Keller rightly comments in this way: “This meant that “victory,” if pursued (or even achieved) in the wrong way, would be utterly hollow— it would in fact be a defeat, because in becoming evil to beat evil, the ring-wearer would have allowed evil to win.”[2] Evil multiplies evil. Violence multiplies violence. Hate begets hate. This is the chain reaction of evil. Dr. King proclaims this truth in a powerful way: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”[3] And he continues in his sermon “Loving Your Enemies”: “Do to us what you will, and we shall continue to love you… Throw us in jail, and we shall still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our community at the midnight hour and beat us and leave us half dead, and we shall still love you… One day we shall win freedom, but not only for ourselves. We shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.”[4]
So where do we begin? Ideally, it would be great if we don’t have any enemies. But for some reason we do have our natural enemies who are different from us, who don’t like us and even hate us. And if we really pursue the narrow path and a godly life, we meet those who will persecute us (cf. 2 Tim 3:12). How do we do good to them? Our Lord Jesus tells us the first step to loving our enemies. It is to pray for them. Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!” (Matt 5:44) Not just once, twice, or occasionally, but day by day and on a regular basis. Not just pray in general, but pray specifically for their salvation, for their families, for their physical strength, for their spiritual health and growth, for their God-given vision and purpose of life. Then, we will be true daughters and sons of our heavenly Father who is merciful, compassionate and forgiving to everyone: the good and bad, the nice and nasty (cf. 5:45).
Stay in Love with God
These first two rules – “Do no harm” and “Do good” – are important. But without the third rule, they become the righteousness of a Pharisee. The third rule is “Stay in love with God,” which is the foundation to all of life. When we keep falling in love with God, we are enlivened, sustained, strengthened, and transformed.
In his sermon “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, V” John Wesley said, “Thus to do no harm, to do good, to attend the ordinances of God (the righteousness of a Pharisee) are all external; whereas, on the contrary, poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst after righteousness, the love of our neighbor, and purity of heart (the righteousness of a Christian) are all internal. And even peacemaking (or doing good) and suffering for righteousness’ sake, stand entitled to the blessings annexed to them only as they imply these inward dispositions, as they spring from, exercise, and confirm them.”[5] In other words, the external righteousness of the first two rules must be accompanied by an inward transformation of heart, which is from a vital relationship with God. Otherwise it is what Wesley would call “the righteousness of a Pharisee.” Paul brings us back to verses 1-2: “Be transformed first by the renewal of your minds,” and then, you will be able to do no harm and do good according to the will of God.
Paul exhorts us, “Let love be without hypocrisy” (9; NASB, NKJV). “Let love be genuine” (ESV). How can we love unlovely people whom we do not like, and yet still be genuine and sincere? It is unrealistic. It is actually impossible with our own strength. It is possible only when we come to the cross. At the cross, our hearts are softened, renewed, and transformed. At the cross, we see Jesus who was tortured and killed for me – unlovely, unattractive sinner, in order to make me lovely and attractive. So now as we serve unattractive, difficult people, we find a repentance growing within us. “Oh, Lord! I am the worst! But you gave up your life for me! Give me strength to love this person!” This is Christian love.
Charles Wesley once said that he would willingly give up all of his 6000 hymns to have written this one, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” This hymn invites us to come to the cross daily. May our minds be renewed as we come to the cross by faith! May our hearts be transformed as we look to Jesus and embrace the meaning of his sacrifice!
In his sermon “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, V” John Wesley said, “Thus to do no harm, to do good, to attend the ordinances of God (the righteousness of a Pharisee) are all external; whereas, on the contrary, poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst after righteousness, the love of our neighbor, and purity of heart (the righteousness of a Christian) are all internal. And even peacemaking (or doing good) and suffering for righteousness’ sake, stand entitled to the blessings annexed to them only as they imply these inward dispositions, as they spring from, exercise, and confirm them.”[5] In other words, the external righteousness of the first two rules must be accompanied by an inward transformation of heart, which is from a vital relationship with God. Otherwise it is what Wesley would call “the righteousness of a Pharisee.” Paul brings us back to verses 1-2: “Be transformed first by the renewal of your minds,” and then, you will be able to do no harm and do good according to the will of God.
Paul exhorts us, “Let love be without hypocrisy” (9; NASB, NKJV). “Let love be genuine” (ESV). How can we love unlovely people whom we do not like, and yet still be genuine and sincere? It is unrealistic. It is actually impossible with our own strength. It is possible only when we come to the cross. At the cross, our hearts are softened, renewed, and transformed. At the cross, we see Jesus who was tortured and killed for me – unlovely, unattractive sinner, in order to make me lovely and attractive. So now as we serve unattractive, difficult people, we find a repentance growing within us. “Oh, Lord! I am the worst! But you gave up your life for me! Give me strength to love this person!” This is Christian love.
Charles Wesley once said that he would willingly give up all of his 6000 hymns to have written this one, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” This hymn invites us to come to the cross daily. May our minds be renewed as we come to the cross by faith! May our hearts be transformed as we look to Jesus and embrace the meaning of his sacrifice!
When I survey the wondrous cross,
on which the Prince of Glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far two small;
love so amazing so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!
[1]
Dr. Claude Kayler, “3 Simple Rules: Do No Harm,” https://www.mainstreetumc.org/sermons/3-simple-rules-no-harm
[2]
Timothy Keller, Romans 8-16 For You: For
reading, for feeding, for leading (The Good Book Company, 2014), 113.
[3]
Martin Luther King Jr., “Loving Your Enemies,” Strength to Love (Fortress Press, 2010), 47.
[4]
Ibid., 50-51.
[5] Albert Outler &
Richard Heitzenrater, edited, John Wesley’s
Sermons (Abingdon Press, 1991), 219-20.
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