Scripture:
Romans 12:17-21 NKJV
[17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Observation:
The book of Romans explains the plan of salvation for those who may be having a hard time understanding it, showing us the struggle we would have with our flesh and the battle that goes on in our mind in fact Romans 12:2 is one of my favorite verses it allows us to see that our thinking can change. We don’t have to remain the kind of people we were before we had our salvation experience. But that’s not the end of the book. Paul continues to write and gives great principles by which to live. Good, but not always easy. Here in verse 17, he starts with one of the hardest that I have found to apply just to be completely honest. Paul knew that as humans, it’s easy to find ourselves wanting to take matters into our own hands. People would continue to do bad things, and the enemy would not stop trying to use offense to create divisions between people that GOD placed together for a purpose. Paul says, “Do not repay evil for evil. The period at the end of that statement shows that it’s the end of it. There is no exception. We are not to repay someone for the evil they have done to us. However, the principle is not being taught. Paul continues to say, “Have regard for good things in the sight of all man.” He goes on in verse 18 to instruct us to live in peace with everyone as much as it depends on us. Do not get them back. GOD is the judge. Let HIM do what HE is going to. It’s HIS job, not ours. Paul tells us that the exact opposite of how we really want to react is, “If our enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water.” Ironically enough, it’s the same thing that Jesus said when HE spoke on the mound. Verse 21 brings everything into perspective. You do not overcome evil with more evil. It’s impossible to live in victory that way. The only way to overcome something is with the exact opposite reaction.
Application:
I sure would like to explain the reason I chose this scripture this morning. But I believe if I do, I would be falling into the returning evil for the evil category. By explaining myself, I feel like I would be trying to find bias from the people who take the time to read this and run someone else down, and that is never my goal. I want to teach biblical principles. Not only in the words written but the actions behind them, and honestly, I really needed to hear this. It’s easy to get caught up in our emotions when someone does us wrong. We say stuff we don’t mean, and if we are not careful, we might do something that brings harm to someone, and what part of that would be showing the love of GOD? The enemy uses offense to separate people and keep them apart because he knows that GOD has a plan and that the plan includes love. We never know what GOD is doing in someone’s life. I have had many situations in the last several years where I wanted to react, and the things I wanted to do would have lasting repercussions on not only myself but many others. To be honest, I’m just tired of a life of hate, and I’ll show you an attitude of vengeance never did anyone any good. All we do is lose sleep and valuable moments in life that we could spend loving on those around us. One of the best ways to win a war is to disarm your enemy. The point is that we are in a spiritual war. There is demonic influence in this world, whether it be greed selfishness or so many other labels we can put on the reasons we get offended. It all comes from the spiritual influence all around us. The influence we can’t even see. You can’t overcome evil influence with evil reactions. You have to love those who hate you and bless those who persecute you. The Bible does not say they will know we are HIS disciples by our ability to get them back for what they did… no, in fact, it’s the opposite. Our reaction needs to be love. It’s what disarm them. It’s what held Jesus to the cross. I’m just going to tell you that if someone was hitting me and ripping my beard out of my face, my first reaction would not be to not react. But our SAVIOR gave us a model. That seems impossible. But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ as our SAVIOR, nothing is impossible. I am here to tell you it is possible to love those who don’t treat you right. Because I do it all the time. I’m not going to tell you it’s easy. But it is possible. We do not have to react. We can repay evil with good. We can set our emotions aside and let GOD do HIS thing. It’s not up to us. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. GOD may use the love we show to bring someone to the foot of the cross where the ground is completely level. My suggestion is to love them all and let GOD sort them out.
Prayer:
Father, you know our hearts, you know the thoughts we think the way we want to handle things and you know what you are doing. We only see a small part of the picture. You see it all. We just want to live a life that brings you glory. Help us to do so. Loving others when they have hurt us is hard, but you make it look so easy. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and the fruit that comes from HIS presence in our lives. This whole thing is not about us. It’s about you, and the way we love can either build or break down your kingdom. Our goal is to build it. It’s what we pray for. We want to see it here on earth. Let us remember that you made them all, and you have a purpose for each one. We never want to forget that love is our best weapon, and it covers a multitude of sins. That same love is what you poured out on the cross. Let us meet everyone with the same grace you met us with. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.