Jesus said, "you have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." While loving our enemy is never an easy thing to do, it is what God expects of every Christian. We will never be more like Jesus than when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. --- People were made for relationships. The Bible tells us the two most important relationships we will have in this life are with God and with people. Being a Christian should have a positive impact on all our relationships. In Romans 12, we find a summary of the whole of the Christian life and the intended effect being a Christian should have on our relationship with God and others. Throughout the Romans 12 series, we will discover what a life of truly following Jesus looks like.
Romans 12:17-21 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.” 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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1. Love responds to evil by doing good.
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Romans 12:17-18 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.
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Romans 12:20 ESV
20 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.”
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Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
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Luke 6:35-36 ESV
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
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Romans 12:21 ESV
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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2. Love responds to evil by leaving room for God's wrath.
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Romans 12:19 ESV
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.”
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Romans 12:14 ESV
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
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Matthew 5:44 ESV
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
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Romans 12:21 ESV
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Application:
A Romans 12 Christian is to forgive, love, and show kindness to the evildoers in our life.