To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)

Where there is opportunity for Jesus to be magnified, there is opposition from the enemy. A political season is not just an optimal time, but a critical time, for the “Big C” Church to not only open and address this “hot topic,” but to utilize this topic’s tension to expose where our hearts are bowing to the world rather than to God’s Kingdom.

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As a church, we are continuing to walk through The Party Crasher by Joshua Ryan Butler, where (in chapter 4, for those reading along!) he coins and describes the Ten Political Commandments of which Worship, Love of Neighbor, and Fruitful Speech are a few.

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“We do believe that God commands these things in Scripture,” Butler shares. “They are not optional add-ons for God’s people but direct orders from Christ our King. So they carry gravity… Sadly, many people today believe Christlike character doesn’t apply in the political arena. Yeah, God commands such character for our personal lives, but it’s unrealistic out here in the real world… That’s a lie from the pit of hell” (pp. 59-60).

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Butler’s seventh Political Commandment is “Peacemaking,” which is when “I commit to face-to-face conflict resolution rather than vitriolic arguments on social media or talking behind someone’s back” (p. 61). To support this statement, Butler references Matthew 18:15-17 and today’s passage from Romans 12.  

Romans 12:20-21 tells us to overcome evil with good, following verse 19’s instructions that we are to leave vengeance for God to handle. (And he will handle it on your behalf, loved one.)  

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Can you remember the last time you sought revenge for something? Maybe it was a passive-aggressive comment to your partner about something they did. Maybe it was hoarding the cookies because someone else ate the leftovers or ignoring someone’s need because they ignored yours.

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But God doesn’t call us to simply ignore the desire to avenge ourselves; in this verse, he commands us to reroute and bless the person causing us harm with “food and drink”––with sustenance. And God promises to avenge us perfectly in his way and in his time.

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This is a radical way of life that harshly contradicts the current political tide. Before you close this internet tab, consider what it would take for you to live more aligned with Political Commandment #7 and to bless those with whom you disagree with sustenance. What does it look like for you to seek conflict resolution? What does it look like for you to speak only to someone rather than about them or against them?

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To commit to this seventh commandment this week, I plan to seek one opportunity to bless someone who rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it will be something as simple as asking them about their day when I really want to end the conversation and do my own thing. Or maybe it will be forgiving someone who hurt my feelings. Or maybe I’ll tackle an old wound that I want to give to the Lord. I trust that God will lead me in this endeavor, as he has plans for me to prosper and grow in holiness as I follow Jesus. And part of living out this faith is to obey his command to operate from a place of God-defined goodness, whether an election is around the corner or not.

Father God, I know that you seek to avenge me in your perfect justice. Thank you for loving me, seeing me, and for not letting any harm that comes my way go undefeated. I want to live according to your will, so teach me what it looks like to bless my enemies from a heart of peace, trust, and goodness. Guide me to follow Jesus’ way and show me where I am holding vengeful desires; clean my heart and allow me to be a vessel for your glory alone. Amen.