Romans 12:20
Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty,
give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire
on his head."
NKJ
I read this verse this morning, and saw it in a whole new light. I have read this before, concentrating on the doing good to your enemies part. But what about those "coals of fire?" Is Paul saying that we need to treat our enemies nice, just so we can get them trusting us, and then "WHAM" pour hot coals on their head, thereby killing them, or severely burning them? No, I don't think so.
I heard about a civil war in a small country years ago, African country,I believe. This "war" was very "civil", as they would not have "it" before sunrise, or after sunset. There was no "warring" on Sundays, Saturdays were OK< but not after lunch. At noon each day, the two warring sides would sometimes come together and share their meals. before returning back to trying to kill each other.
Sounds like killing each other wasn't in there hearts. It makes me wonder how many people were actually killed in this so called "war"? As I read about this, I also noticed this "War" lasted over 10 years, and finally came to a "draw", with neither side winning. I don't think the solders were mad at their enemy, and were just going through the motions of war. A 9-5, 1 hour for lunch,(Here, enemy, try my wife's soup), kind of war.
In today's world,(well in the USA, anyway), we don't run across our enemies with guns trying to shoot us as much as long gone days. So who is our enemy? Is it easy to pinpoint our enemies? Are they the ones that we differ with about politics? "I am a Liberal, you are a Conservative, therefore I hate you." "You live a "Gay" lifestyle, I can have nothing to do with you, you "Heathen" "You have a criminal record, don't you dare come into my church, and if you do, don't sit anywhere near me or my family". Enemies? We may not agree with their lifestyle, their sin, there past, But they are not our enemy. Ever had someone, at work, or another place, that just gave you such a hard time? You know, the guy who you really didn't like? The one who is always telling jokes about the Christian? You tend to ignore him, because he is a jerk. Have you thought about asking him if he wants you to pick up something to eat, because your going out for lunch and you heard him say he was working through lunch? How about not making "good comebacks" when he says something about your belief? Being nice to the guy. You don't have to invite him home for supper with your family, unless God wants you to, but show him what a true christian is, Love.
So...."If your enemy is hungry, feed him: If he is thirsty, give him drink, FOR in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head"? What does that mean? In my humble opinion, I think it means that your fighting back at them with love. You become the "bigger man" here. You show them love, when all the show you is disrespect. You could get angry, but how does that make you any better then them? That is what they are trying to do, make you angry. I know I know, this is really been used in the past, But the saying here "WWJD" comes to mind. What would Jesus do in this situation? He never got mad at sinners, just "religious" people, trying to make a buck off of the poor. Jesus never argued with anyone, by raising His voice, trying to make His point, pointing His finger at someones face, saying things like: "You pervert, your never going to go to my Father's house, your such a sinner" "WWJD"? He acted in love to sinners, more so then He did to the religious of that day. He despised the religious leaders, who were living a lie. I know a lot about living a lie, and there is hope, but you have to change your whole life, admit your wrong. Those guys did not do that, they continued to shout THEIR "GLORY" so the whole world could hear.
I knew a guy a long time ago, we seemed to follow each other around from job to job. I drove a trash truck for 3 different companies, and eventually he got hired on also at each one. His experience was driving a pick up and large trailer and delivering trash carts to new customers, and picking up carts from newly dropped customers. I really did not like this guy. He talked all the time about how he knew everything, it seemed. I would be telling a story about what I did on vacation and he would interrupt and try and "one up" me, with his vacation to Europe, or Australia, or some place, always better then mine.
We did not get along very well. I wish I could say, that I treated him nice, made him feel uncomfortable by not letting him get to me, but I did not. I just ignored him to the point when he walked into a room I walked out. What kind of "witness" for the Lord did I have with him? Not any. If I had treated him nicer, not made fun of him, which I did a lot! Invited him to my church, just talked to him and shown some interest in the things he was talking about, I could have shared the Lord with him. But I didn't. The last time I saw him, he was working at Walmart. I chatted with him a little, and then excused myself fast. Is this what Jesus would have done? No, I am sure it is not.
How can you "heap hot coals of fire" on someone, this way? Like I said, become the bigger man, show them you care, regardless of their attitude toward you. People notice how we treat other people, they make opinions of us in a few minutes. How do we treat others, especially the ones that "rub us the wrong way"? What about the guy who is a Washington Redskin fan, or worse the one who actuality wears Oklahoma Sooner' s stuff? (Hey, I live in Austin Texas the home of the Texas Longhorns, so this is how it is). I do love you Oakies, but not when UT-OU plays, No really I would watch a game on TV sitting right next to an OU fan, argue with them about our teams, and in love console them when the sooners lose. OH this is hard, I am sorry, Lord let me love even OU fans, thank you:)) Please note this is all in fun, I have many relatives in Oklahoma and love them dearly. I would share my lunch or drink with them any-day. I hope you don't think I am serious, but there are sports fans out there who do take their rivalry way to far, and actually hate each other. Fights, deaths even result. OVER SPORTS? I love sports, but it will not change my calling to tell others, in love, about my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
Just remember our actions are noticed by those that watch us. Confess to be a christian and you will be watched. They are looking for any flaw so they will feel right when they talk about those "fake Christians" Show them we really do care, we really do serve a God who loves them and we do to. Don't come across as " Holier then thou", everyone can see right through that, because no one is "holier then anyone", only by Jesus' death on the cross are any of us anything. Only through Jesus are any of us free.
Take some time today and be nice to someone you normally would ignore. Surprise them, give them a reason for believing, not accusing.
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