Do not repay anyone evil for evil

The Bible teaches us many times about love of neighbor and it is good that we have full knowledge about it. Today we live in a very difficult society, people with a lot of malice, people who only think about themselves and nobody else. But, we as Christians, should we be the same? Absolutely not, for us there is a totally different path from those selfish ones, we must show the love of Christ even with those who consider themselves our enemies.The Bible says:

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:17-19

In the previous verses the apostle Paul speaks to the Romans about Christian duties. Even if the world thinks that we should pay badly to those who do us wrong, we should do good even to those who harm us. Even if the world takes revenge with their own hands, we understand that revenge belongs to the Lord and we cry out mercy for them.

The persecutions in the church is a difficult issue, but there is another difficult issue and it is about our duties as Christians, to have to act in a way contrary to our flesh until Christ is fully formed in us.

Loving our neighbor is so important that all Christianity is summarized in loving God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves.

The command to love our neighbor is not optional—it is central to the Christian life. Jesus Himself declared that this command, along with loving God, forms the foundation upon which all the Law and the Prophets stand. This means that every expression of true Christianity must be rooted in love. Yet this love is not merely sentimental; it is sacrificial, patient, and righteous. It moves us to treat others with dignity even when they mistreat us. It teaches us to be gentle when others are harsh, and to extend forgiveness when others act unjustly. This type of love is impossible for the natural man; it can only be produced by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Therefore, every time we choose compassion over retaliation, we reflect Christ to a world that desperately needs His light.

Jesus taught that loving those who love us is easy, but loving those who oppose us is evidence of true discipleship. This love proves that we belong to the Father. When we bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us, and forgive those who wound us, we are displaying the very heart of God. This does not mean we ignore injustice or pretend evil does not exist, but rather that we trust God’s righteousness above our own impulses. The flesh always seeks revenge, but the Spirit leads us to respond with grace. By refusing to repay evil for evil, we break the cycle of hatred and become instruments of peace. Our lives become testimonies that God’s love is stronger than human malice. In a world filled with violence and selfishness, such love shines like a bright light in the darkness.

For this reason, we must constantly seek God’s help so that His love may overflow from our hearts. The more we grow in communion with Christ, the more naturally His love flows through us. Loving our neighbor becomes not a burden but a joy, because we see others through the eyes of God. Even those who wrong us become opportunities to demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel. As Christians, our greatest testimony is not our knowledge, our positions, or our talents, but the love we show. When we love sincerely, joyfully, and sacrificially, we reflect the character of Christ and draw others toward Him. May the Lord teach us daily to love as He loved, and to walk in peace with all, as far as it depends on us.