It is normal for people to get angry and upset whenever they face harassment and opposition. But Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church said that believers should resist the urge of seeking revenge whenever they are persecuted because they need to respond with a blessing.
On his website, Warren highlighted the Bible passage from Luke 6:27-29, wherein Jesus said: "Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also."
The pastor acknowledged it could sometimes be difficult for Christians to respond to their oppressors they way Jesus would want them to. But whenever Christians do so, they are setting a good example and become living proof of God's love, he said.
"It takes a lot of courage to do those things! Any fool can fight back. Anyone can fight back. Anyone can retaliate. Anyone can respond with something mean," he said. "God wants you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you, and turn the other cheek. Is that easy? No. You can only do it by being filled with God's love. But it is the most powerful form of witness."
At the same time, Warren said that whenever Christians choose not to retaliate and respond in love instead, they are pleasing God. And they are going to be blessed - maybe not in this lifetime, but definitely in their eternal life in Heaven.
"Jesus paid a price for you. He says there's a price to be paid for following Him. Popularity on Earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian, but your reward in Heaven is guaranteed," he said.
Warren also said that Christians need to cling to their faith when life gets difficult, because it is their faith that will see them through the worst of times. "Is it worth it? Absolutely, because God is guiding you to becoming more like Jesus," he said.
