Romans 12:14, 17-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
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 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.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Most of us have been the victim of someone’s
unfairness or cruelty at some point in our lives. Jesus in the sermon on the
mount, and Paul here, call us to avoid revenge and bitterness. We are not to
bless them as if they are doing good, calling their evil good. That is not the
point. But we are to control our response, and not respond according to the
sinful nature. Instead of thinking it is our place to avenge, we are to make
way for God’s wrath, to let Him work in His time. The wrongs in this world understandably upset
us. But we are to shape that anger into constructive and godly work, not revile
and curse. Not turn cold and hard inside. Not let it block the possibility of
forgiveness. Let us confess our anger, our desire for revenge, our hatred that
wants to see others suffer, instead of see them repentant and forgiven.
Oh come, let
us worship & bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
10/13/13
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