One Sided Love

One Sided Love

(Prov 17:13 NLT) If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

Two verses ago Solomon described someone who was wicked. In the last verse Solomon described someone who was foolish. In this verse he describes someone who is both wicked and foolish. You would have to be wicked and foolish to repay good with evil. It is understandable to repay evil with evil. We know that God teaches us to repay evil with good, but the common standard of the world is quid pro quo, a tit for a tat, an eye for an eye. But for someone to repay good with evil exposes true wickedness. Solomon is clear that Jehovah will ensure that they reap what they sow and evil will never leave their house.

Solomon’s father (David) gives us a god example of someone who had haters, but who refused to respond to their evil with more of the same. For the purposes of this lesson, I will say that a “hater” is someone who has ill feelings towards you without a cause. Yes, David had his fair share of haters. In Psalm 109 we see how David responded to their hatred – with love. Here is an excerpt from the Psalm:

“O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship” (Psalm 109 1-5).

David refused to repay evil with evil and he was blessed for it, but his haters were repaying good with evil and they paid the price.

The ultimate example of someone who had to deal with haters was Jesus. Jesus did not do anything wrong to anyone and people still ‘hated on’ Him. The same people He was out to bless turned on him. The same people that cried, “Hosanna” one week cried “Crucify Him” the next.

How did Jesus respond? Did He call down fire from heaven to destroy them? Did He call for a legion of angels to annihilate His enemies? No! Instead of repaying evil with evil, He interceded for those who were repaying his good with evil. Jesus looked up to the Father and said,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

I know it hurts to have haters without a cause, but you cannot get caught up in their hatred. Especially when they are repaying your good with evil. But remember, God’s love is ONE SIDED! You don’t need their good for you to do good. If you did then you would be no better than the world.

The Father expects you to do good whether people do good to you or not. Even if they choose to repay your good with evil, it still does not exonerate you from your requirement to do good. Their poison can’t stop your purpose anyway. You don’t need their support for your rise. So just stay fixed and focused on your purpose and know that God will judge their evil acts. They will reap whatever they sow.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that you should never (EVER) repay good with evil. Repaying good with evil is exceptionally wicked. If anything you are called to: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28,28); to “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love… Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil… as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom 12:12-18). God expects you to walk in love, because He IS LOVE (1st John 4:8, 4:16).

Father, I will never repay good with evil. Actually, I won’t even repay evil with evil. I am committed to living a life that is pleasing to You. I am in You and You are in me. Since You ARE love and You are in me, then I declare that perfected love lives in my heart. I love all people and my love is ONE SIDED. Regardless of how others act towards me, I will express and share Your love towards them. I walk in love every day of my life. I am a conduit of Your love and an example of Your grace everywhere I go. Use me to reach someone today with Your love, Your peace, and Your kindness! In Jesus’ name. Amen!