Do you remember those little desk toys with the hanging balls – Newton’s Cradles.

There was something about them that made them utterly irresistible – you just had to pick up a ball from one end and let it go, and watch as the perpetual motion kept the end balls tick-tock-ticking back and forth, never ending…
I’ve noticed how arguments between people can be like a Newton’s Cradle. Friend A does or says something which is offensive. Tick. Friend B is insulted, and so they snap back with something mean. Tock. Now Friend A is upset at what’s happened, and retaliates, really sticking the knife in. Tick. Friend B is outraged and lashes out again. Tock.
Tick. Tock. Tick.
And on it goes. Each person getting angrier and more offended at the last action of their ‘opponent’. Some people can stay angry a very long time! There are feuds that have gone on so long, that those involved don’t even know any more how it started.
The Apostle Peter writes to the early church:

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Peter’s command challenges believers to behave differently. When someone upsets you or offends you or insults you – don’t get into it tit for tat. Don’t retaliate with more insults. Because all that will happen is you’ll get caught in the vortex of anger, each side getting increasingly hurt. It goes nowhere. Instead, believers are to respond with love and forgiveness.

Be Different

It’s not easy. To stop the Newton’s Cradle (and after a while you do want to stop it, for the tick-tock-ticking gets on the nerves…) the only way is for something to absorb the force as the ball comes crashing down on the end of the chain. With a little desk toy, we’re not talking a huge force. But when it comes to human emotions, it can feel huge. To absorb the force of someone’s evil against you and respond with love and sympathy instead of retribution takes strength of resolve. Thankfully we have the strength of the Holy Spirit within us to help. With His strength, even in the face of the most awful persecution, we are able to respond with love.
Why does Peter command this response? Maybe he was thinking of Jesus words when he taught his disciples

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

When we respond to aggression not with equal measure but with compassion – we stand out. The world notices, and Jesus is glorified.