Romans 12:9-21
If we want to understand what it means to be a Christian, here we see it explained. The book of Romans teaches us the origin of sin and the remedy. Here we see what it takes to overcome evil. Wickedness grips the nation and the world. Evil works in the hearts of men. Rome was the capitol of the Empire and condoned many sins. It fell when they rejected truth and tolerated sin. Lust is never satisfied. They got used to normal and then it was men with men, women with women. They were with children and animals. Incest was prevalent. Nothing is new today. History is just repeating itself. Satan is throwing out all the stops, but Paul said God’s people can overcome evil.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Wickedness was the norm. People were exposed to it so much that Christians were almost over come with it. If you take too much of your prescription medicine you are overcome with it—overdosed. A lot of Christians have been put to the test and are failing. They are overcome. Don’t fight evil with evil. It’s not a fight fire with fire thing. Overcome evil with good. Verses 1-9 are what God established in us. We were saved in a miraculous way. We have a divine purpose in the kingdom. We are equipped to overcome, not to be overcome. A lot of unsaved people are good people, but they are still overcome with evil. The good God prescribes is what’s needed. Here it is spelled out.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
This is authentic love, not put on. He didn’t say hate them and cleave to them. Abhor means hate. Abhor that not them. Cleave to that. Cleave to the Word of God and Biblical standards. You don’t hate sinners; you hate the evil and sin and try to help the sinner.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
Treatment of our Christian brothers and sisters is important. Don’t put each other down.
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord
Don’t be lazy in everyday life. Live the day serving the Lord. Work as if to the Lord. Please God on the job. Do what is pleasing to the Lord.
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer
When troubles come, hang in there. Don’t question God. He will prevail. Don’t let your prayer life sag.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Give to those in need. Be willing to give even if it’s just a drink of water. Be friendly to all, not just a few. Jesus said we’re his friends when we do what he commanded.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
He didn’t say bless them out. He said bless them and not curse them.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Don’t be envious of other’s joy. Be happy when others are happy and weep with them when they weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
We’ll all on the same level. Shoulder the burdens. Remember without Jesus we’d all be nothing.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Don’t try to get even and remember that any color lie is wrong.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Don’t hold grudges. Fix things. Live peaceably. Have forgiveness and let things go.
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.
Set it aside. It’s not our place to exact vengeance. Don’t take what God says is his.
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.
The best way to win lost people is to do right by them.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is how to overcome evil. This is the real good. Let’s do our best to be the good Christian God called us to be.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 