A Believer’s Attitude Toward Evil – Part Two

July 30, 2011

Eddie Evil, Forgiveness, Persecution, Perspective, Revenge Leave a comment

This is the second installment on this topic adapted from “The Cross of Christ,” by John R. W. Stott

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9 NIV)

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (Romans 12:17 ESV)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21 NIV)

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good…They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:4 NIV)

 

It appears that these verses clearly define what our Christian attitude to evil should be:

1) Evil is to be hated.  God hates evil because his love is holy love;  we must hate it too.

2) Evil is not to be repaid. Revenge and retaliation are absolutely forbidden to the people of God.  Instead we are to do what is right.

3) Evil is to be overcome.  Hating evil is one thing; refusing to repay it is still another.  It is still better to overcome/conquer it.  A few verses prior to verse 21, namely verse 14, Paul wrote “Bless those who persecute you.”  In verse 20 he writes, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him.”  Clear echoes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This is how evil is conquered.  The supreme example of this is the cross!

4) Evil is to be punished.  Stott points out if we stop with the first three we will be very much out of balance.  In these passages and their context we are instructed to not avenge ourselves, God will do that.  We are told to NOT repay anyone evil for evil; God will repay.  Vengeance and retaliation is God’s prerogative, not ours.

How does God punish evil?   …next time.

A Believer’s Attitude Toward Evil – Part One

July 26, 2011

Eddie Evil, Love, Obedience, Persecution Leave a comment

The following is adapted from “The Cross of Christ,” by John R. W. Stott

     I could not resist sharing this with whomever visit this page.  It is rich and “right-on.”  The same could be said for the entire book!  I enthusiastically commend it to the reader!

  • Does the cross of Christ commit us to a non-violent acceptance of all violence?
  • Does it invalidate the process of criminal justice and the so-called just war?
  • Does it prohibit the use of every kind of force, so that it would incompatible for a Christian to be a soldier, police officer, magistrate or prison officer?

We turn to Romans 12 and 13 for our answers.  Our answers to these questions do not come from the wisdom of humanity for there is a buffet selection of answers presented there and one is left confused.  Our authority is from God’s very Word!

The first eleven chapters have seen Paul unpack God’s mercy both in giving his Son to die for us and in how he has graced us with full salvation by that death.  With that said, what should be our response?

  1. Present our bodies to God — a living sacrifice.  With renewed minds we are to discern and do his will (12:1-2).
  2. Be level-headed in our thinking about ourselves; not flattering nor despising ourselves (12:3)
  3. Love each other, using God-given gifts to serve each other and living together in harmony and humility (12:4-13, 15-16)
  4. Bless our persecutors and do good to our enemies.

So when God’s mercies envelop us, it will transform our relationships:  we obey God, understand ourselves, love one another and serve our enemies.  Reflect on the life of Christ Jesus in all these areas!

The focus of the next several posts will be concerning the fourth relationship.  We assume there will be opposition from non-believers.  The cross is a stumbling-block to unbelievers for it is an offer of salvation that involves no aspect of human effort and is simply and undeserved gift.  The command to love God and neighbor leaves no room for self-love (that’s a tough one!).  The call to take up our cross seems threatening.  All of these arouse opposition from the unbelieving world to Christ and His Gospel.

You have people who persecute you (Romans 12:14), who do “evil” to you (Romans 12:17), who may even be labeled an “enemy” (Romans 12:20).

What should our attitude be?   ….next time.

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