READ Romans 12:17-21

I hope you are encouraged and looking forward to a great week.  Please notice this morning Romans 12:17-21. "Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

vs 17 - Romans 12:9-16 have for the most part dealt with our relationships to those in the church. Now, the focus seems to shift to our relationships with those outside the church. Man's natural reaction is to respond to others in like kind.  If someone is kind to us, we will be kind to them.  If someone wrongs us, we will wrong them. However, the Scripture clearly teaches us to "recompense to no man evil for evil."  The golden rule is not to do unto others as they do unto to us.  Rather, it is to do unto others as we would them to do unto us. We are directed to not recompense evil for evil.  Sometimes we get the idea, if the wrong was purposeful and genuine, then we are entitled to get even. The Bible never allows for that type of response.  Additionally, we are directed to "provide things honest in the sight of all men."  The word translated as "honest" has the basic idea of ‘excellent,’ ‘good,’ or ‘honorable.’ It certainly conveys the idea of honesty, but it implies much more. Everything we do as Christians ought to bring glory to God. It ought, with a thought in mind, be good, not only for God to see but for anyone else who may be watching.  

vs 18 - "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  As much as we are able, we ought to live in peace with those around us. I cannot control what others do, but I can certainly control what I do.  Our direction is to do everything possible to live at peace with those around us.

vs 19 - The thought of not seeking retaliation is further developed. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath..." It is not our place to seek revenge which is what the word avenge means. Rather, we are told to defer such vengeance to God. The phrase “give place unto wrath'“ clearly implies leaving that up to God. The succeeding quotation from Deuteronomy 32:35, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," makes that point clear.  Retaliation and revenge are not ours to exercise, but God’s. He in His infinite wisdom and power, not only has the power to judge our adversaries as they deserve, but He also knows the best way and time to do so. Leave vengeance up to God. He will do a much better job of it than us. Moreover, His vengeance will be just whereas ours will not.

vs 20 - We, therefore, are commanded, "...if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." Both are commands, not suggestions. "For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." The statement speaks of how that so doing can cause the heart and mind of an enemy to burn with conviction and possibly even change. It is an embellishment of what Jesus taught of doing good to them which despitefully use us.  Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

vs 21 - I really appreciate the summary we have in verse 21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." This is the heart and attitude every believer should possess.  The word translated "overcome" means to ‘conquer.’  Ours is not to retaliate. Ours is to do good to them that hate us and pray for them which despitefully use us.

I thank God for you!  May you have a blessed day.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

vs. 17

1.  A believer's reputation is a most precious commodity. What special challenges do you face in order to keep your life above reproach?

2.  When are you most tempted to react in the flesh and pay back the person who has hurt you?

3.  God's Word tells us to think first and then act. Is this a natural talent or a learned spiritual skill? How can you become better at this?

vs. 18

1.  Have there been times when achieving peace with another person proved impossible? If peace is not possible, what is your responsibility as a believer to that person?

2.  What are some of the benefits that come to the believer who strives to live at peace with all people?

vs. 19-21

1.  Why is personal revenge never an effective option for the believer? How can you avoid the trap of behaving as the world does?

2.  What could happen to your enemy if you treat him kindly? What would the opposite approach achieve?

3.  What does it mean "to heap burning coals of fire" upon your enemy's head?