In preparation for preaching Romans 12, I read that we are to conquer evil with good. Huh? How does that work?
Have you ever thought maybe that was a misprint? Surely if we want to get ahead in this world we have do whatever it takes to get ahead, right? Wrong. That is the problem, we need to be the servant of all to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Let me explain.
There is so much evil that resides in me because of the sin nature, much less the evil that is talked about on the news. We are going to have people that will oppose us, we should expect that response to our living for the Lord. But we must remember that God's prescription is to do so much good in response to the evil that is done to us. The literal translation is to "drown the evil in good."
Here's the point, it is much easier to trade insult for insult. But how about practicing blessing others when they are cursing you? That is tough isn't it?
Now allow the goodness of God to fill you so that when you are provoked kindness comes out of your mouth.
That's good John.. Yesterday I saw a young man who whose parents were on the board and voted me in, then left the church. He was buyin a license (I assumed to fish) so I said casually and friendly, "Going to do some fishing (insert name)?" I was completely ignored... I don't know what the issue is, like I am supposed to know, but I didn't respond at all.. I wanted to! But, here the doing of good is merely the absence of speaking evil, which I don't think is good enough, it will take a consistant friendly acceptance and genuine love... and the fruit may only be it's effect on me.
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