Proverbs 25:20 ¶ As he that taketh away a garment in cold
weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy
heart.
Christians are told when dealing with someone
experiencing sorrow to weep with them, not to make light of their pain.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do
rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
As one who has gone through great grief let me
say that it is very disturbing to hear some people constantly talk about how
some good will come out of the situation and trying to make light of what is
weighing on you like a mountain. At least Job’s friends sat with him silently
for a week before they started giving the advice which God later critiqued.
Job 2:11 ¶ Now when Job’s three friends heard
of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own
place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite:
for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to
comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not,
they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and
sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him
upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him:
for they saw that his grief was very great.
Make light of no person’s suffering. The best
thing you can do for a friend in grief is to just be there and to show your
support. Don’t try to make things better because you can’t. Sorrow and grief
are processes that people have to go through and although the pain they are
experiencing may never go away, it will change over time.
The Christian should be sensitive to the
suffering of others.
Proverbs 25:21 ¶ 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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