top of page
Search
  • Writer's pictureDavid Chadwick

The Marks of a Christian - Bless and Do Not Curse Them

If you are a follower of Jesus, your life should have outward marks that reflect your inward convictions. These marks signify that you live your life in a way that imitates Christ. Blessing and not cursing our enemies is another distinguishing mark of a Christian (Romans 12:14b).       This is the second part of a two-fold command, given to remind us that as Christ-followers we are set apart. We obediently choose to be different. We do not respond to hate with hate. To evil with evil. To harm with harm. Instead, we respond to poison with peace. We forego retaliation in order to honor our King. We refuse to play the role of judge, jury, and executioner by rightly deferring to the One who perfectly oversees all. Understanding the meaning of “bless” as used here is essential to this teaching. When we bless our adversaries, we release them to God. We ask God to perform His justice – not ours - with that person. In the way that He, not we, sees fit.  Then we rest in faith that God will be just, as is His character. And we must remember that all people – including our adversaries – are created in the image of God. Jesus came to save His children, not condemn them (John 3:17).  When we bless our enemies, we turn them over to Him, believing He will perform perfect justice as He said He would.

Recent Posts

See All

Forgiveness is “the act of pardoning an offender and letting them go.” It is not a feeling, but a command by God. While forgiveness is required by God for anyone who is a follower of Jesus, reconcilia

The Bible says we are to forgive “70 times 7.” What does this mean? In Jesus’s day, to forgive seven times was seen as the ultimate victory in forgiveness. So, Peter asks Jesus if that is sufficient

Forgiveness is so important to the heart of God. This week we are exploring this topic more in depth and hopefully growing in practicing forgiveness in our everyday lives. Why forgive? Is it reall

bottom of page