How To Destroy Our Enemies

After becoming the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was taken to task for his kindness toward his enemies. A close associate asked him, "Why do you try to make friends of them, when you are now in a position to destroy them?" Lincoln gently replied, "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"

Many a person in today's society, lives for the day when he'll be in a position to "get even" with those who have wronged him. But vengeance doesn't belong to man, but only to God (Romans 12:19). The sword of vengeance is simply too heavy a sword to wield. In fact, an individual who wields that sword, oftentimes falls on it and destroys himself (note Haman in Esther 3-7).

There's an Oriental proverb which states, "Water does not remain on the mountain, or vengeance in a great mind." Benjamin Franklin once stated: "Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; Revenging one makes you but even with him; Forgiving it sets you above him."

Regarding our enemies, God's word says:

"Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:20-21; cf. Proverbs 25:21-22). See example in 1 Samuel 24:16-19.

Dear reader, showing kindness, forgiveness, love, and concern toward our enemies will help them to hopefully become our friends. Remember that at one time, were we not the enemies of Christ? (Romans 5:10). But because of His kindness, forgiveness, love, and concern for us (Romans 5:6-11); cf. John 10:1-15), and because we responded to Him in obedience to His will (Romans 6:16-18), He now calls us "friends" (John 15:12-15).

This is the only God-authorized way for us to destroy our enemies, and that is to make them our friends, for vengeance belongs only to God (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30; cf. Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets