Title: Practicing the Principles of Romans 12 in 2012
The rest of the passage here in Romans 12 has to do w/ our r/ship w/ those who harass us, irritate us, insult us, persecute us, and want to hurt or harm us.
V14
The word bless is mentioned 2 xs in this 1verse. We are to bless those who persecute us; bless and curse not.
The original word translated bless is the word we get our English word eulogy. The minister at a funeral will give a eulogy of the deceased. It means to speak well of.
When others curse us, belittle us, berate us, and insult us we are not to return the favor. V17 says do not repay evil for evil.
Why are we not to repay evil for evil? I can think of a few reasons.
First, because the Bible teaches us not to.
V17 says do not repay evil for evil
Jesus taught us in Matt 5:43-45Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, 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; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”
We are not to repay evil for evil because Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Bless those who curse us. Do good to them the hate you and pray for those who persecute you.
First, we not to repay evil for evil because the Bible teaches us not to.
Secondly, we are not to repay evil for evil because we are different. Jesus says this will prove that we are the children of God.
Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Children of God are peace makers. When we curse those who curse us that’s not making peace.
V18
We are to seek to be at peace with everyone.
Living the principles of Romans 12 sets us apart from others. it shows that we are different, a holy nation, a peculiar people.
In a parallel passage he says, “Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you. And unto him that hits you on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that takes away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asks of thee; and of him that takes away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them. For if ye love them who love you, what thanks have ye? For sinners also love those who love them. And if ye do good to them who do good to you, what thanks have ye? For sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."
First, we not to repay evil for evil because the Bible teaches us not to.
Secondly, we are not to repay evil for evil because we are different.
A third reason why we are not to repay evil for evil is the example of our Heavenly Father.
God sends his rain on the good and the evil. He makes the sun rise on the just and the unjust. He sends his blessings on believers and unbelievers. It doesn’t matter if you are agnostic, an atheist, or a believer the rain will still fall and the sun will still shine.
Ps 145:9 “The LORD is good to all…” and so should we as his children.
Not only is our Heavenly Father our example of not repaying evil for evil bur also Jesus. Jesus is our example for doing good to those who seek our harm. While on the cross dying for our sins and the sins of those who nailed him there he said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. . . .” Right at the height of his pain and agony, He prays for his enemies.
The apostle Peter writing to some believers who were being mistreated because of their faith tells them it is better to be mistreated for doing right than for doing wrong.
He goes on to tell them that Christ is the example for this and his example is the one we are to follow. 1 Peter 2:20-23Peter says, "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
When the Jewish and Roman leaders persecuted Him, He never retaliated. They slapped him, hit him, punched him, beat him and he never retaliated. He held his tongue. He held his temper.
First, we not to repay evil for evil because the Bible teaches us not to.
Secondly, we are not to repay evil for evil because we are different.
A third reason why we are not to repay evil for evil is the example of our Heavenly Father and the example of Jesus.
Last, we are not to repay evil for evil is because God will take care of that.
V19
Peter says the reason why Jesus did not threaten when he was threatened was because he committed Himself to Him who judges righteously
Jesus knew it was not his place to repay evil for evil. He knew that was his father’s place.
So it is with us. When we are reviled, mistreated, insulted, in reality they are reviling/insulting the one we represent. Don’t take it personally.
God will repay those who mistreat us. He can do so much a better job than we can.
Deut 32:35 God says, “Vengeance is Mine, and I will repay; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.” God will repay them for their evil deeds. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day.
Deut 32:43 says, …For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries…
Leave the repayment for your mistreatment to him.
What are we do? It is our job to pray. It is his job to repay.
V 20 says…. Take him out to lunch. That’ll show him you’re different. It’ll win him over to your side. He’ll wonder what makes you different and you can tell him and lead him to Christ. In the end this is what it is all about.
1 Thess 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but always follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
