Text: Proverbs 25.21-22
It’s not enough to sit back and trust God to “get even” when we’ve been wronged. The radical nature of following Jesus requires we go significantly further: we’re to actually help them. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25.21). Compassion, not revenge, should characterize us.
Our goal through compassion is repentance: treating our enemy kindly may cause him to repent. In doing so, we model exactly what God did for us through Jesus, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2.4)?
Discuss with your small group a list of things you can do to show compassion in the face of wrongdoing. If there’s someone who’s currently your “enemy,” select one from the list, do it this week, and then report back to your group.