I Pet. 3:9 ... "Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead."
If our world were perfect, that is, if all people were Christians and were obedient to both the letter and the spirit of the "perfect law of liberty," (Jas. 1:25), a person would always do and say something good to another. Conversely, anyone would always find himself being treated kindly, courteously, gently, honorably, and unselfishly by others. But, unfortunately and realistically, the world about us is not perfect. It is so common to meet people who are unkind, rough, and impolite, who behave with ill temper in their interactions with those about them. It has come to the place where it is a surprise for someone in public to sacrifice a moment of their time or an ounce of their energy to act benevolently toward you.
Sin has penetrated so deeply and powerfully into human affairs that it has enslaved the majority of people, (Rom. 6:16-21). On every side we experience those who are "filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful," (Rom. 1:29-31). As these terms indicate, which describe the nature of the sin that dwells within and tyrannizes so many, people often do terrible things to other people. In some cases this involves inhumane treatment to recompense its likeness, for the rule, "Do unto others AS they do unto you," prevails among men. Although this is condemned by the Christian standard, (Rom. 12:18-21), it is accepted and even expected by the typical person. It is disturbing, however, that in recent years there seems to be a growing trend for people to commit terrible acts upon those who have done them no harm at all, or who have even shown them kindness.
Such atrocious acts are so wicked and brutal that they are considered to be crimes against society at large as well as against the individual victims. So we respond with relief and approval when the State assumes the necessary role of "an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil," (Rom. 13:4). Most of the time, however, the offense is not of direct interest to the State but only to the affected individual, who nevertheless is hurt, humiliated, or hindered very much. What course of action is then left for him to follow to redress his injury?
If the victim is not a Christian, he will probably seek to "even the score" by giving as much as he got, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise," (Exo. 21:24-25). Although this might bring immediate relief and satisfaction, it frequently only sets the stage for a counterattack and leads to a feud or even a vendetta. The only remedy other than totally obliterating offenders is to defuse the bomb of bitterness and wounded pride in such a way that the counterattack is not provoked to promote further contention.
This is the course taught in our text as well as in many places in the New Testament, because it is the way that Jesus used and set as a model for us. When kindness is returned for bitterness, gentleness for harshness, courtesy for rudeness, fairness for injustice, consideration for disrespect, generosity for selfishness, and honor for contempt, the perpetrator of the offense is left in an awkward position. Unless he is a recalcitrant sinner, he will likely be taken aback, perhaps to renew his own behavior with a degree of shame, and hopefully be motivated toward some expression of repentance that might eventually evolve into friendship. Enemies are not converted into friends by inimical responses to their behavior, but rather by expressions of love as noted above. How has God responded to us in our hostility ? (see Rom. 5:10). Should we follow a different course?
