OVERCOMING EVIL
ROMANS 12:9-21
I THINK WE ARE SOMETIMES OVERWEALMED BY THE WRITINGS OF PAUL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. I BELIEVE THAT OVER ONE QUARTER OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS ATTRIBUTED TO HIM.
WE SEE THE BOOKS HE IS CREDITED WITH WRITING AND FAIL TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST LETTERS. DEPENDING ON THE URGENCY OF THE ISSUE PAUL WILL SPEAK OF IT IN ONE OR MORE BOOKS.
IT IS NOT SURPRISING THEN, THAT WE SHOULD FIND COMMON GROUND IN MORE THAN ONE OF PAUL’S LETTERS. THE BOOK OF ROMANS THOUGH, BECAUSE IT IS A LETTER GOING TO AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH, IS GOING TO DEAL WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES, SOME IN GREAT DEPTH, THAN HE DOES WITH OTHERS.
THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT WE FACE WITH THIS TEXT. THE IDEA OF AGAPE LOVE IS NOT NEW TO PAUL, AS HE PRESENTS THE SAME TEACHING TO THE CORINTHIANS AND SOME OF HIS OTHER BOOKS.
IT FORCES US TO REALIZE THAT JUST DOING THE RIGHT THING IS NOT ENOUGH. THERE ARE SOME GREAT MEN IN THIS WORLD WHO DO GREAT THINGS FOR HUMANITY, BUT THEY DO THEM FOR THEIR OWN LEGACY AND HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CHRISTIANITY.
THERE HAS TO BE A DEFINING MARK THAT IS UNMISTAKEABLY CHRISTIAN IN ORIGIN. IT HAS TO BE A MARK THAT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY THE WORLD, COMMON IN THE PRACTICE OF BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, AND EASILY IDENTIFIED AS BEING SOMETHING POSITIVE AND DESIRABLE.
FOR PAUL THAT DEFINING MARK WAS AGAPE. HE SPEAKS OF IT IN MANY OF HIS LETTERS AND MAINTAINS THAT USING GOD GIVEN TALENTS WITHOUT GOD GIVEN LOVE IS WORTHLESS.
THE BIBLE IDENTIFIES THREE GREEK WORDS THAT WE ARE MOST FAMILIAR WITH:
1. EROS: THIS IS A SENSUAL, SEXUAL TYPE OF LOVE. WE SOMETIMES REFER TO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AS MAKING “LOVE”.
2. PHILEO: THIS IS A FRIENDSHIP TYPE OF LOVE. IT IS A LOVE WITH CONDITIONS, AND ONLY EXPRESSED TO CERTAIN PEOPLE. IT CAN BE DUPLICATED BY NON-CHRISTIANS.
3. AGAPE: THIS IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. IT IS EXPRESSED TO ALL PEOPLE, MIRRORING JESUS CARING ATTITUDE. IT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY NON-CHRISTIANS.
PAUL REMINDS THE CHRISTIANS IN ROME OF THIS FOR THE SAME REASON THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS AT TIMES NEED TO BE REMINDED,
AND THAT IS THAT WE WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY OUR “AGAPE”.
HE REMINDS US THAT OUR CHURCHES ARE GLASS HOUSES TO THE WORLD. THEY SEE HOW WE TREAT THOSE WHO ARE NON-CHRISTIANS, AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE IN THE CHURCH.
THIS IS AND SHOULD BE A GREAT CHALLENGE FOR US. WE WOULD NOT LIKE TO ADMIT IT, BUT WE WANTY TO PICK AND CHOOSE THOSE WHOM WE SHOW PHILEO TO. THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID PHILEO. THE CHURCH TODAY EXPRESSES “PHILEO” TO A MUCH GREATER DEGREE THAN WE EXPRESS “AGAPE”.
THIS PASSAGE CONTAINS A VARIETY OF CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE THAT CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE HELP OF GOD. CONSIDER TYHESE THREE THIS MORNING:
POINT ONE: AGAPE LOVE IS AUTHENTIC:
ROMANS 12:9-12:
9 LOVE MUST BE SINCERE. HATE WHAT IS EVIL; CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD.
THERE IS AN AUTHENTICITY ABOUT AGAPE LOVE THAT IS EASY TO PICK UP ON. IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY VOLITILE SITUATIONS CAN BE DIFFUSED BY THE PRACTICE OF AGAPE.
PROVERBS 15:1: A GENTLE ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER.
A QUIET WORD IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS, TURNING AWAY AND REFUSING TO FIGHT, JUST SITTING WITH SOMEONE AS THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR DAY, AND SOMETIMES PROVE MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE BEST MEDICINE AND IS PRACTICING AGAPE.
MOST TIMES IN THESE SITUATIONS THOUGH WE PRACTICE PHILEO LOVE AND WE THINK IT’S AGAPE. WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO ADMIT IT, BUT WE DO THINGS FOR OTHERS TO MAKE OURSELVES FEEL GOOD.
CONSIDER THIS STATEMENT “I DID IT FOR THEM BECAUSE IF I WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION I WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR ME.” WHILE THE THOUGHT IS NOBLE IT IS ALSO ONE OF SELFISHNESS AND PRIDE.
IT IMPLIES A CONDITION, YOU ARE ONLY DOING IT FOR THEM TO COVER YOURSELF IN CASE THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO YOU. THIS IS NOT AGAPE LOVE, IT’S PHILEO.
WHAT DOES AGAPE LOVE SAY? I’LL DO IT FOR THEM.
HOW MANY OF YOU SAID “I DON’T CARE WHAT SEX THE BABY IS AS LONG AS IT’S HEALTHY”. THIS IS A NOBLE THOUGHT AS WE WANT ALL CHILDREN TO BE BORN HEALTHY, BUT IT IS NOT AN EXAMPLE OF AGAPE LOVE. IT TOO IS PHILEO LOVE.
WHEN WE MAKE THIS STATEMENT WE PUT A CONDITION ON OUR LOVE FOR THE CHILD. WE WOULD ALL LIKE CHILDREN TO BE BORN HEALTHY BUT IF IT IS NOT ARE YOU GOING TO STOP LOVING IT. WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SAY “OF COURSE WE WOULD STILL LOVE THE CHILD”, BUT THERE ARE THOSE, SOME WITHIN THE RANKS OF CHRISTENDOM, WHO IF THEY WERE TO ESTABLISH THAT A CHILD WOULD NOT BE BORN HEALTHY, WOULD OPT FOR ABORTION.
STRANGE ISN’T IT, WHEN IT’S HEALTHY WE CALL IT A BABY, WHEN IT HAS A CONDITION WE CALL IT A FETUS. I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT IT WAS A HEALTHY BABY PHYSICALLY THAT GREW UP TO BE ADOLPH HITLER, OR THE OKLAHOMA BOMBER, OR THE MAN THAT WALKED INTO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CONNICUT AND MURDERED 27 PEOPLE. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT WE WOULD EVEN CONSIDER KILLING THE ONLY PEOPLE WE KNOW CAN’T COMMIT A VIOLENT ACT, BECAUSE IT WOULD CRAMP OUR STYLE.
WHERE IS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. IF GOD CAN TELL HOSEA TO MARRY A PROSTITUTE TO PROVE A POINT, IF HE CAN ALLOW SATAN TO AFFLICT JOB AND KILL HIS FAMILY TO PROVE A POINT, IF HE CAN MAKE JONAH FISH FOOD FOR THREE DAYS, WHY SHOULD WE THINK THAT GOD CAN TAKE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS IN OUR LIVES AND ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING GOOD FROM THEM.
ROMANS 8:28: AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
HOW IS IT THAT PAUL CAN SAY THIS? LOOK AT THE NEXT VERSE;
ROMANS 8:29: FOR THOSE GOD FOREKNEW HE ALSO PREDESTINED TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE CALLED TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS, NOT TO THE IMAGE OF DOUG. WE ARE TO BE CONFORMED TO LOVE ON A TOTALLY NEW LEVEL IN A NEW WAY, A WAY THAT IS TRANSPAARENT FOR ALL TO SEE. WE LEARNED LAST WEEK THAT THIS CONFORMITY WOULD OCCUR THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR MINDS.
ROMANS 12:2: DO NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS—HIS GOOD, PLEASING AND PERFECT WILL.
GENUINE AGAPE WILL ONLY OCCUR THROUGH A TRANSFORMATION OF THE MIND THAT LEADS OUR LIVES INTO CONFORMITY TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS. WHEN THEY SEE US THEY WILL SEE HIM AND THEY WILL KNOW IT. THEY WILL KNOW IT BY OUR DESPERATION, HATING WHAT IS EVIL, AND CLINGING TO WHAT IS GOOD.
ROMANS 12:10-11:
10 BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES. 11 NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL, BUT KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL FERVOR, SERVING THE LORD.
WE WILL ALL FACE CRITICAL TIMES IN OUR LIVES. A PERSONAL TRAGEDY, THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, AND IT IS AT TIMES LIKE THESE THAT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS THE FAMILY OF GOD.
WHAT PAUL IS TEACHING US IS TO HONOR AND THINK ABOUT THE FELLOW SITTING NEXT IN THE PEW EVEN MORE THAN YOURSELF. OUR TASK AS A FAMILY IS TO COME TOGETHER FOR EACH OTHER, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW, AND BE THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH. IF WE CAN’T STAND WITH EACH OTHER, HOW ARE NON-CHRISTIANS GOING TO BELIEVE US WHEN WE SAY THAT WE WILL HELP THEM.
NOTE THAT PAUL SAYS THAT WHEN WE DO THIS IN TRUE AGAPE, WE ARE IN FACT SERVING THE LORD. THEREFORE WHEN WE COME TO SOMEONE’S AID IT MUST BE OF THE UTMOST SECRECY.
MATTHEW 6:3-4:
BUT WHEN YOU GIVE TO THE NEEDY, DO NOT LET YOUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS DOING, 4 SO THAT YOUR GIVING MAY BE IN SECRET. THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU
THIS IS NOT JUST SPEAKING ABOUT FINANCES, BUT ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. THE MINUTE WE START TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE TO HELP PEOPLE IT CEASES TO BE ABOUT THEM AND IT BECOMES ABOUT US AND BETRAYS OUR REAL MOTIVE OF PRIDE. IT IS PHILEO, NOT AGAPE.
ROMANS 12:14-18:
BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU; BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE. 15 REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE; MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN. 16 LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER. DO NOT BE PROUD, BUT BE WILLING TO ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE OF LOW POSITION. DO NOT BE CONCEITED. 17 DO NOT REPAY ANYONE EVIL FOR EVIL. BE CAREFUL TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF EVERYONE
FOR MANY OF US, MYSELF INCLUDED, THIS IS WHERE OUR AGAPE BREAKS DOWN. IT BREAKS DOWN BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE AT OUR LEVEL, AND WE FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH THEIRS.
PAUL SAYS TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER. THIS MEANS TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH US, THOSE WHO ARE YOUNGER AND OLDER, THOSE MAYBE NOT OF THE SAME INTELLECT, EVEN THOSE WHO MAY CHOOSE TO LIVE CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD.
A GREAT THEOLOGIAN PHIL ROBERTSON OF DUCK DYNASTY FAME SAID:
“OUR CULTURE HAS ACCEPTED TWO HUGE LIES. THE FIRST IS THAT IF YOU DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE’S LIFESTYLE YOU MUST FEAR OR HATE THEM. THE SECOND IS TO LOVE SOMEONE MEANS THAT YOU AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY BELIEVE OR DO. BOTH ARE NONSENSE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO COMPROMISE CONVICTIONS TO BE COMPASSIONATE.”
LIVING IN HARMONY DOES NOT JUST MEAN NOT FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER. LIVING IN HARMONY MEANS SHOWING LOVE TO EACH OTHER DESPITE THE DIFFERENCES WE HAVE.
THIS THOUGHT WAS BROUGHT HOME TO ME IN A POWERFUL WAY WITH THE DEATH OF CHRIS HINNEMAN THIS PAST SUMMER. LES AND I USED TO FOLLOW THEIR RENOVATION SHOWS. THEY LITERALLY COST ME A LOT BECAUSE OF THE IDEAS THEY GAVE LESLIE.
I DON’T AGREE WITH THEIR LIFESTYLE, AND I DIDN’T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE FUNERAL. ONE THING THAT KEPT GOING THROUGH MY MIND THOUGH IS THAT TO BE TOGETHER AS LONG AS THESE TWO WERE, STEPHEN MUST REALLY BE HURTING NOW. I BELIEVE THAT IF I KNEW STEPHEN THAT I WOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH OUT IN COMPASSION TO HIM AT THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE. I DON’T HAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING PEOPLE DO TO SHOW COMPASSION.
I’M REMINDED WHAT GENE NELSON SAID AT CONVENTION ABOUT A GAY COUPLE HE HAD BEFRIENDED. THEY INVITED HIM TO THEIR WEDDING AND HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. FINALLY HE CALLED THEM AND SAID TO THEM “GUYS, I JUST CAN’T ATTEND YOUR WEDDING. BIBLICALLY IT’S WRONG. BUT I’D LOVE TO COME TO THE PARTY AFTER IT.” WE DON’T HAVE TO COMPROMISE OUR STANDARDS TO BE COMPASSIONATE.
THERE IS A WARNING IN THIS PASSAGE. BE CAREFUL! BE CAREFUL TO DO RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE CHURCH! THAT’S NOT THE WARNING. BE CAREFUL TO DO RIGHT IN THE EYES OF SOCIETY. THAT’S NOT THE WARNING. THE WARNING IS TO DO RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD. YOU AND I AS CHRISTIANS WILL STAND BEFORE A HIGHER JUDGE THAT ANY IN THIS WORLD, AND THAT JUDGMENT WILL BE BASED ON HOW WE EXHIBITED CHRIST TO THOSE AROUND US. THE HARD ASPECT OF THIS JUDGMENT WILL NOT BE HOW WE TREAT OUR FRIENDS, BUT ON HOW WE SHOW JESUS’ LOVE TO THOSE WE DON’T LIKE, AND EVEN HATE.
ROMANS 12:18-20:
IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE. 19 DO NOT TAKE REVENGE, MY DEAR FRIENDS, BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD’S WRATH, FOR IT IS WRITTEN: “IT IS MINE TO AVENGE; I WILL REPAY,” N SAYS THE LORD. 20 ON THE CONTRARY: “IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO DRINK. IN DOING THIS, YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
THE HARD PART OF FORGIVENESS IS TRYING TO FORGIVE SOMEONE WE REALLY DON’T WANT TO FORGIVE. HOW DO WE SHOW AGAPE LOVE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS HURT YOU?
THIS IS SO HARD TO DO, AND IN FACT IT’S ONE OF SATAN’S BIG WEAPONS AGAINST PEOPLE, HOLDING ON TO HURT. SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE THE BAD GUYS ARE GETTING AWAY WITH IT. WE AGREE WITH WHAT THIS PASSAGE SAYS, BUT WE WANT GOD TO ZAP THEM RIGHT AWAY.
THE LESSON HERE THOUGH IS NOT ABOUT THE BAD GUYS, FOR THEY TRULY DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OF THEM. THEY COULD CARE LESS IF YOU FORGAVE THEM OR NOT.
THE LESSON HERE IS FOR US, NOT THEM. PAUL IS TELLING US TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HURT US. IF THEY NEED OUR HELP, EVEN IF IT TO GET AHEAD OF US, THEN WE SHOULD DO IT. ITS TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS BUT WE SHOULD.
IT’S EASY TO PRACTICE AGAPE LOVE TO THOSE WE LIKE. IT’S QUITE DIFFERENT TO PRACTICE AGAPE LOVE TO THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST US. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT AGAPE LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO THOSE WE MEET. IT’S TO THE POLICEMAN WHO JUST GAVE US A TICKET. IT’S TO THE MAN WHO JUST TOOK THE PARKING PLACE WE’D BEEN WAITING FOR FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. IT’S TO THE ONE WHO BUTTS INTO LINE AT THE CHECKOUT, TO THE ONE WHO STEALS OUR JOB, TO THE ONE WHO DESTROYS OUR REPUTATION WITH GOSSIP, AND THE ONE WHO MAKES OUR BLOOD BOIL FOR GETTING THE CREDIT FOR THE WORK WE DO.
WE MUST OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION TO OFFER PHILEO LOVE HERE. THAT TEMPTATION SAYS YES I WILL OFFER THEM THE HELP THEY NEED, JUST TO SEE BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD. THIS IS NOT AGAPE, ITS NOT EVEN PHILEO LOVE. IT IS JUST A MEANS OF REVENGE AND SHAME ON THE CHRISTIAN WHO WHO HELPS SOMEONE WHO HAS HURT THEM IF REVENGE IS ALL THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.
GOD WANTS US TO TRUST HIM THAT JUSTICE WILL BE HANDED OUT AT THE PROPER TIME. IT IS A WEIGHT THAT YOU NOR I HAVE TO CARRY, BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE STILL BURDENED WITH.
ROMANS 12:21: DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.
PAUL IS TELLING US IN CONCLUSION THAT WE CAN OVERCOME EVIL, THE EVIL THAT IS IN THIS WORLD, WITH GOOD.
WHEN NEW TOWN AND COLUMBINE TRAGEDIES HAPPENED, WHO DID THE PEOPLE TURN TO. THE NEWS PEOPLE WILL NOT REPORT IT BUT IT WAS CHRISTIANS. WHEN THE UNITED STATES WAS ROCKED ON 911 WHO DID THEY TURN TO, BILLY GRAHAM TOOK THE PULPIT AT THE NATIONAL SERVICE.
SATAN IS A POWERFUL AGENT IN THIS WORLD AND WE SEE THIS IN MANY WAYS. BUT GOD IS GREATER AND IN CONTROL. LOVE ALWAYS IS GREATER THAN HATE, GOOD IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN EVIL, HOPE IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN HOPELESSNESS. BE THE HAND THAT REACHES OUT TO OVERCOME EVIL TODAY.
