Living Out Love, Pt. 5

Evil is overtaken and consumed by goodness, not by responding in kind with more evil.

Living Out Love, Pt. 5

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"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.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

(Romans 12:19-21)

So far this week, we have taken a moment to consider 24 commands from Romans 12:9-18, and today we will look at the final 6 commands in the 3 concluding verses. Even after all of that, if you keep reading in Romans, Paul has even more commands to share! These commands are not because Paul is being bossy. Rather, these commands are a gift to us that we can plainly read and understand some ways that we can live our lives as living sacrifices to God!

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."

These commands here actually come with a promise! First off, God lifts the burden of vengeance, which can often consume a human heart beyond what it can bear. Then He takes on that burden Himself and promises justice for all wrong that is done. This builds on yesterday's command from the previous verses about living in peace with one another, since seeking revenge only stirs up conflict. God is inviting us into a more peaceful life by taking the burden of vengeance on Himself. Thank you 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."

Again, we find two complementary commands here that really teach the same thing. When someone hates you and seeks your harm, bless them. Doing so does indeed place shame on the one who continues to hate and fight against you, but it also frees you from the hate and anger that can build up within you when you have an enemy. Choosing to bless them is an act of faith, trusting that God will be just and remembering that since you don't deserve the blessings you've received in Christ, so you can likewise freely give to others when they don't deserve your grace and blessings either.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Holding onto anger and seeking revenge will only overcome a person as that evil overtakes and consumes them. But evil is overtaken and consumed by goodness. This goes all the way back to Monday's devo, as we remember the differences between what is evil and what is good. Evil is not of God, while all that is good comes from our most gracious Lord!

Even by taking a minute to consider each command this week, each one calls for so much more time. Perhaps start with one and look for how you can apply it to your own life. Then, onto the next. These are all here for our benefit, that we may live peaceful, joyful, and purposeful lives in Christ. Praise God!