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.