Romans 12:17-21
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is one of those passages of scripture that many like to read quickly and move on. After all, look at the list of what God tells us to do...
Repay evil with good...
Do what’s honorable when the other person hasn’t been honorable...
Live peaceably with others when they don’t deserve it...
Don’t seek revenge...
Be kind to our enemies...
How? Why? Doesn’t seem fair does it. The world screams to get even... and God says don’t. Our friends tell us to make them pay... and God says “Trust Me, I’ll take care of it.” Why would anyone follow these directives? Why would anybody treat people better than they were treated? Why would someone give up their right to settle things their own way?
Simple. Because that’s what Christ did. Sinless Christ. The King of Kings. All man... all God... perfect and unblemished. He climbed up and let His own creation nail Him to a cross... pierce His side with a spear... put a crown of ragged thorns on His head… And as people mocked and spit at Him.... He was forgiving those doing it before the saliva could even dry. So much injustice... so much undeserved hatred toward the Son of God...
Met with so much love. Jesus chose to show compassion and forgive. Why should we waive our right at revenge? Because Christ did.
I can imagine your thoughts as you read this.... Pastor, you don’t know what they did. If I treat them this way...they win, don’t they? If I turn the other cheek...they’ll just hit me on that one too....Jesus didn’t say it would be easy... But real growth...real faith... real and long lasting change never is. Resist the urge to dismiss these verses as impossible. Don’t give in to the enemy telling you that this doesn’t apply... doing the Godly thing is rarely popular or easy...
However, it is obedient. It is blessable. And it is always the right choice...
