Romans 12:19-21

Passage

Do not seek retribution, beloved, but grant a place for wrath for it has been written, “Vengeance is mine, I will seek retribution says the Lord.”  “But if an enemy should be hungry, feed him.  If he should be thirsty, give him something to drink.  For while doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil in good.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul gives us a command to start this passage.  Do not seek retribution.  Period.  When we seek our own retribution, we are not being obedient to God.  It is up to God to bring judgment upon people.  Vengeance belongs to Him, for He alone is the only righteous being in the world.  Who among us can dole out righteous retribution?  In fact, this is exactly the issue with the Assyrians and the Babylonians of the Old Testament.  God empowers them to conquer His people in order to bring His people under judgment.  But the Assyrians and the Babylonians simply go too far.  They went beyond what God empowered them to do and thus fell into judgment themselves.  This is why Paul tells us to not seek retribution.  For when we go too far, we invite God’s retribution upon ourselves!

How often do you seek your own retribution?  Why do human beings like to get even?

Second Thought:

In fact, Paul tells us that we should do more than just not seeking retribution.  Instead, we are to care for our enemies.  We are to give nourishment to our enemies.  For in being kind to them, we display God’s grace.  Of course, there is no need to worry about being too gracious and bringing retribution upon our heads.  This is why grace is the higher road.  When we are kind to our enemies, we will either win them over or demonstrate why they will fall under judgment.  Either way, judgment will not come upon us.

Why is it difficult to give grace to our enemies?  Have you ever been kind to someone who has not deserved it?  How does that make you feel?

Third Thought:

Paul tells us that good overcomes evil.  This is actually the primary theme of the New Testament.  Sin finds forgiveness in God’s grace.  Christ dies on the cross so that we may live.  Ultimately, evil is overcome by good.  However, it takes a divine perspective to understand this.  Only when view through the eyes of God can the crucifixion be a good thing.  Only when viewed through the eyes of God can we truly overcome evil in our good.  Evil abounds in this world and it seems to never be controlled.  But through God and His eternal judgment, good does truly overcome evil.

When you look at the world, do you think good overcomes evil?  Why does it take a divine perspective to believe good can overcome evil in the end?  What examples can you think of throughout history where good eventually did overcome evil?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 13:1-4