be saved by his life? (Romans 5:10)
When we were enemies of God, He sent His only Son to die for us on the
cross so that we could be forgiven and restored. What greater example of
active compassion could we find than that of the Lord Jesus? Can we, who
have been treated in this way, treat our enemies with any less compassion?
This concept of practical love for an enemy brings up the question: If God
is punishing and we are seeking to heal, are we not working against God?
This question, while legitimate, misses the whole point of God's discipline
and judgement.
Why does God judge? What is His purpose in punishing? God's ultimate
purpose is not to break but to heal. God corrects us so that we can be put
back on the right path. He punishes us in order that we will learn lessons.
He judges so that sin is stopped and people are restored. God's whole
purpose in judgement and correction is to restore people and heal their
relationship with Him.
Not one of us is worthy of judging our neighbor or enemy. We, too, have
sinned and are guilty before God. The only one who can truly judge is God,
for He alone is perfect. While judgement belongs to the Lord, He calls us to
the role of healing. He asks us to take balm to those He has disciplined. We
are often the instruments through which that healing takes place.
The balm we bring to those under the judgement of God may come in the
form of our words of encouragement, or perhaps in a sacrifice of time and
resources for the sake of one's enemy. It will come in the form of supportive
actions. The balm of our encouragement, sacrifice and support will minister
to the hearts and souls of those whom God has judged, and be an instrument
of healing and restoration physically, emotionally and spiritually.
God sees what forgiveness and correction will do for those who have
offended us. He sees what they can be in Him. He corrects to purge them of
their sin. He punishes to get them back on the right path. He uses us to
bring balm of healing encouragement to them.
Will you be the instrument for healing in the life of your enemy? Will you
cooperate with God in seeing this individual cleansed, corrected and
restored to a relationship with their Creator? Will you bring balm to the one