Verse of the Day 11/12

Romans 12:21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  English Standard Version (ESV)

When reading the Bible I like to use a study Bible.  When a verse draws my attention I like to go to the notes and see what additional information or application there is for the verse.  In reading today's verse there were not study notes.  Why is that?  Probably because it should need no explanation, it is as straight forward and clear as it can be, do not be over come by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The passage, shown below in The Message gives us a good head start on how we can be "overcomers".  "Don't hit back" are the first words of verse 18.  Retaliation is our natural first impulse when we are hit, physically or emotionally.  We want to strike back, likely harder than we've been hit.  But what benefit will that bring?  It only brings an escalation to the evil.

Sometimes we are called and challenged to be overcomers for a cause, to take  a stand against something and the best way to do it is by doing good.  Greg Laurie writes, "it has been said, I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  What I can do, I ought to do.  And what I ought to do,  by the grace of God, I will do."

William Wilburforce was one man.  But he campaigned for twenty years in the English Parliament  against slavery.  He was one man with one voice, but one by one he gained  the support of others  and in the end, slavery was abolished.  It occurred after he had retired, due to health issues.  But he lived to see the day, just barely, when it was abolished, he died three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured.

We may not face such a roadblock as slavery.  But we should never feel that as one person we can't make an impact.  It may start one person at a time, overcoming evil with good.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 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 12:18-21The Message (MSG)

^17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

^20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.