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Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins”
Romans 12:17, “Repay no one evil for evil”
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The message of Jesus is simple yet astounding: Love your enemies. Do good to those who mistreat you. Repay evil with kindness. When a Christian lives by these principles, he or she will keep their heart free of hatred no matter how others feel toward them. Steve Estes reported a remarkable example of this in the Wycliffe Bible Translator. In January 1981, Colombian rebels kidnapped Chet Bitterman, shot him, and left his body in a hijacked bus. Imagine how his parents and loved ones must have felt at the senseless death of this young man!
However, in April 1982, as a demonstration of international good will, the churches and civic groups of Bitterman’s native area, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, gave an ambulance to the State of Meta in Colombia, where the young linquist was killed. Bitterman’s parents traveled to Colombia for the presentation of the ambulance. At the ceremony his mother explained, “We are able to do this because God has taken the hatred from our hearts.”
This is the power of Christ in action! When we are wronged and ill will begins turning to hatred in our hearts, we need to ask God to change us and enable us to show kindness to the one who has wronged us. This is the way to turn hatred into love.
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Further Thoughts:
George Washington Carver (1864-1943) overcame terrible racial prejudice to establish himself as a renowned American educator. Spurning the temptation to give in to bitterness but the way he was treated, Carver wisely wrote, “Hate within will eventually destroy the hater.” In the book of Esther, we see how self-destructive hatred can be. Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow down before Haman – a self-important dignitary in the Persian court. This angered Haman, who manipulated information to make Mordecai and his people appear as threats to the empire (Esther 3:8-9).
When his scheming was complete, Haman called on the Persian king to kill all the Jews. The king proclaimed an edict to that effect, but before it could be carried out, Esther intervened and Haman’s devious plot was revealed (Esther 7:1-6). Enraged, the kind had Haman executed on the gallows the schemer had built for Mordecai (Esther 7:7-10), Carver’s words and Haman’s actions remind us that hatred is self-destructive.
The biblical response is to turn hatred around and return good for evil. “Repay no one evil for evil,” the apostle Paul said in (Romans 12:17). When offended, “do not avenge yourselves” (Romans 12:19). Instead, do what is right (Romans 12:17) that you may live “peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
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Hatred promotes self-destruction; love fulfills Christ’s instruction
His Eternal Word 
Our ladies’ book discussion group is going through the Sermon on the Mount. This week we’re in Matthew 5:43-45, about loving our enemies.
Pretty relevant these days.
Long story, but in 2005 I felt the Lord impressing on me to pray daily against terrorism – and for terrorists. I have a folder full of news stories about answers to those prayers – foiled terror attacks and former terrorists who are now Christians, some even evangelists. 😀
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Yes, I agree this subject is very relevant for today. I agree it is good to keep track when our prayers get answered. However, many times we fail to acknowledge and give praise to God for answered prayer. I do appreciate your comment and I truly thank you for it.
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