21 ¶ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Jesus raises similar admonitions for his followers to consider and apply.
Matthew 5:43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Luke 6:27 ¶ But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Along with refusing to get revenge these are some of the hardest of verses to follow in our daily lives. For those who are concerned about what is said in the passages that are doctrinal specific to Christians in this age of the Church Paul refers to this verse.
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
It is a fundamental principle of Christian behavior, along with not seeking revenge, to love your enemies and pray for them. The Proverb says that God will reward you for rendering aid to your enemy. This is one of those statements that go against declaring any nation a Christian nation. Nations make war against their enemies. They do not render aid to them unless they have defeated them first. You macho guys out there want your “getbacks”, that’s fine and well, but just don’t prance around all spiritual when you have an attitude that goes directly against what the Holy Spirit has said.
American Christians have a belief that Christian life should be easy so they just ignore the tougher statements in the Bible and change the meaning of the words in the ones just under that level. It is simply boiled down to this. If you want Christ’s approval for your behavior to someone who has wronged you or who is your enemy then do good to them.
As a final word, I want to read the passage in Romans again in its full context for you to reflect on.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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