WITH THE NOT-SO-NICE
Romans 12:17-19 ESV
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 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.”
Romans twelve is another chapter with a large amount of very practical and profound truth. Renewing the mind, presenting our bodies, and the different grace gifts in the body of Christ are all in this chapter. Starting with verse nine, there is a list of instructions that provide an outstanding outline for Christian living. I love lists, and the list in these thirteen verses is enough to keep all of us busy for a lifetime—timeless advice when written and still applicable today.
Our three verses for today deal with people who have not been nice and those who are hard to be around. Even in our Christian circles not everyone is easy to work with. These verses have been a big help to me over the years.
Repay no one evil for evil. This implies no one, which includes our family in Christ and those on the outside of the faith community. The instructions are simple but living them out is more challenging. Not returning evil for evil requires some self-control, but we have that ability. As new creations in Christ, self-control is part of our new makeup. We may have not developed it much, but the potential is there. Instead of returning evil for evil, we are to do what is honorable so that everyone who observes our behavior can attest to things being done right. They may not tell the truth, but actions that are honorable are a strong witness to the world.
As much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. I have stood on this verse for years. The objective is to live peaceably even with those who are not kind or have done evil. Sometimes, living peaceably is not possible. So, I appreciate the wording of this verse. If possible, live peaceably. In other words, we will do our part to live peaceably. Other people may not cooperate, but as much as it depends on us, we’ll try. I have found that with some people, to live peaceably, I have to keep strong boundaries. With others, I have little contact. We can’t make other people do the right thing, so we look for the most peaceful path. Unfortunately, this means with some people, I simply cannot be around them. But I am not going to speak evil or repay evil and verse nineteen goes one step further.
Not avenging ourselves implies that something bad has been done to us. The level of evil can vary, but we are instructed to not avenge ourselves. We are to back off the anger on our part and turn the situation over to the Lord. He said He would repay. I am not sure how payment comes, but it won’t be coming from me. Verse twenty instructs us to do good to those who have done wrong to us.
These verses form a template of how to act with people who have not been good to us—the people who have said or done wrong things, the people who have made us angry. Are these instructions easy? No. Are they doable? Yes. And with God’s help and strength, we can put these principles into practice.
PRAYER
Dear Father, strengthen me by Your Word and Your Holy Spirit to not repay evil, to live peaceably, and not take vengeance into my own hands. I give all these people who have done all these things to You.