[This "difficult precept" pertains to how one reacts when mistreated by those who are evil...]
[People normally respond differently, depending upon their ability (e.g., vengeance, self-defense, passive resistance, running away, helpless victim). Yet Christians are taught to respond with love. Why? Paul explains...]
Kim Joon-gon has seen 2,000 out of 20,000 people on Chunnam Island murdered by the Communists. They dragged his family to a spot where 160 people from two villages had gathered to beat the Christians. There Kim's father and wife were beaten to death and Kim was left for dead. When he revived and sought safety at an acquaintance's house, he was turned over to the Communists. Only the sudden appearance of an American ship off the island coast saved him this time, for the Communist soldiers hurried away to battle.
He hid out in the countryside until the South Korean army captured the island. The Communists who had killed his wife and father were arrested. Because it was wartime, the police chief had authority to execute without trial. But as the chief prepared to kill the men, Kim pleaded, 'Spare them. They were forced to kill.'
The police chief showed great surprise. 'It was your family they killed! Why do you now ask for their lives?' Kim replied quietly, 'Because the Lord, whose I am and whom I serve, would have me show mercy to them.'
The Communists were spared execution because of Kim's plea. News of his action spread among other Communist supporters in the area. When Kim later ascended a mountain to preach to Communists hiding out, he was not killed. Many of the Communists became Christians, and when Kim finally left the sland there was a flourishing church of 108 members. - Dictionary Of Illustrations, p. 188
Do you desire to "love life and see good days"? Then be transformed by the renewing of your mind and demonstrate that God's will for responding to evil is indeed good, acceptable, and perfect...!