Overcome Evil with Good
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Romans 12 has many powerful points all bunched together in one chapter. This chapter teaches many of the basic principles of being a Christian...yet they are basic principles that are so often forgotten by Christians.
Be a Living Sacrifice (vs. 1-2)
Under the Old Law they made animal sacrifices. These sacrifices were killed and offered to God at His command. Yet under the new law animal sacrifices are not offered, but rather we as Christians are to be a living sacrifice. Our life is to be a sacrifice to God with us doing what is right and serving Him in our every day life. It is reasonable for God to expect this service of us as He is the creator and the one who has saved us. The only way we can be the living sacrifice that God demands is when we instead of being conformed to the world are transformed with renewed minds. That means that we don’t act like the world, talk like the world, or think like the world, but instead we transform our lives to be what God has commanded.Be Humble (Vs 3-8)
We must realize who we are and what we are without God. We must realize that we are stronger when we work together with other Godly Christians. We each serve a function in the Kingdom of God and as such we must use our abilities that God has given us and depend on other righteous people to use their abilities as well.Be Righteous (Vs. 9-21)
This section includes many principles of living righteous and they are all bunched into one section. Almost all of these should be quite obvious, yet are still things we sometimes struggle with. Love without hypocrisy. Our love should be sincere and from the heart. The love that we have for one another should not be fake or produced, but rather a sincere love. Abhor what is evil. Again...this one should be obvious...yet many times we struggle with the evil that is around us and sometimes even though we don’t take part in that evil we really begin to enjoy being around it. Evil is something that we must hate. Cling to what is good. We must find good, love it, and cling to it with all of our might. Love one another...and treat each other like we love each other. Rejoice in hope. Rejoice with the realization that our hope will one day become reality. Patient in tribulation. This world is not without tribulation and when struggling through these trials we must have patience (endurance). Help those in need. Rejoice with those that rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Do not repay evil for evil. Strive to live peaceably with all men. Do not avenge yourselves. There are several others in there as well, and while they are so obvious and simple, they are sometimes difficult as well. These are things we sometimes struggle with in our everyday lives. Yet every one of these principles is summed up in the last phrase of the chapter. It says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”We have the responsibility as Christians to be a living sacrifice by using the abilities that God has given us to overcome evil in this world with Good. Many times it feels like we are not making a difference in this world...yet if we are doing good, then the world has not changed us...and we will make a difference to those around us.
ROMANS 12
[12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Serve God with Spiritual Gifts [3] For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Behave Like a Christian [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; [11] not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; [12] rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; [13] distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. [14] 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.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
