Verse of the Day 5/1

Romans 12:20-21 (NKJV)  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.

The preceding verse in Romans 12 says "vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord".  In these verses Paul gives us the Christian mindset.  It was counter cultural then and it is today.  The natural reaction if we feel that we've been wronged, slighted, or injured in some way is to strike back with equal or greater force.

 

If we think of what has been done to us as "evil" doing the same thing to the other person is "evil" as well.

 

Step back a minute and take a look at society through what we see in the news, in politics, and in what we see in our own lives and actions.  How often does society, do we, try to overcome evil with good?  It is our challenge and it won't come easy and it will not come cheap.  But then again, God's grace was not cheap.

 

Let's go back to the beginning of the passage for some additional thoughts to guide, carry, and challenge us through the day.

 

Romans 12:9-16The Message (MSG) ^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

 ^11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

 ^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Romans 12:18-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." ²⁰ To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.