Romans 12:17-20
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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," (Deut. 32:35) says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heal burning coals on his head." (Proverbs 25:21,22)
I love it when NT writers use teaching from the OT. It makes it all so real for me. Paul certainly would have run into his share of conflict. All of the disciples faced "enemies" in their lives after knowing Jesus. I appreciate the words from Proverbs 25. I have heard this advice before in a different context. When you agree with someone who is attacking you, there is no longer any need for aggression on their part. Sometimes agreement is not appropriate, but kindness and generosity are always good options, and are very unlikely to make things worse. I am not sure I have ever followed this teaching, however. My general "go to" response when I feel attacked is to become defensive. Not good. Definitely room for improvement here.
Holy Lord, these verses give me so much to think about. Help me to see when I am being defensive. Help me to be kind. Help me to answer anger with generosity. Amen
Becky, transforming
Romans 12:17-20
This advice should be the very core of being a good Christian. Always be willing to forgive. Not because we are weak but because we are strong and want to follow Christ’s example. Our world is so full of revenge of some perceived wrong. We are surrounded by wars big and small based on revenge. We should be worshipping peace not war.
Prayer: Gracious God, when O when will we learn that revenge is an endless cycle of living—with no peace, ever. Amen
Thursday, January 25th, 2023
Romans 12:17-20
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” 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.”
Paul has a lot to say here, basically telling us how to behave and live out our own faith each day. It isn’t always possible because…
Romans 12:17-20
This is again a scripture that is so true. If I practice this it is true it works feed your enemies! You spend more wasted time trying to get even, one up, I’ll show them, stewing about it, how much easier is it to just extend a piece of bread a smile your hand! It truly does make all the difference in the world! But it’s so hard to let go and let God! I say to myself why? Wake up smell the coffee and think of the enemies what are they going through?
Dear God and Gracious God, I thank you for the lessons we go over today, help me to continue to improve and grow and…
Romans 12:17-20
Revenge, vindictiveness, getting even, all seem to be the coin of the realm in today’s world of politics especially and culture in general. Paul’s teaching today is as counter-cultural as it was in the first century. Plotting and getting revenge may be quicker and superficially more satisfying than trying to live in peace with everyone, even those who have treated you poorly. But the rewards of building relationships and resolving conflict with kindness yields far better results in the long run. Like the old saying, “an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”
Prayer - Merciful God, guide me to be merciful as You are merciful to me. When confronted with an impulse to revenge…