Romans Meditation Lesson 61

Romans Meditation Lesson 61

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21)

Paul has been teaching how Christians should live the sacrificial life according to Romans 12:1-2. Paul now presents another command: as Christians, we are to conduct ourselves honorably. The world cries for peace and doesn’t know where to find peace, but Christians should know peace comes from peace of spirit with God’s Spirit. We are to be at peace with all, our siblings in Christ, and with unbelievers. The Christian must never be the reason for an unpeaceful relationship.

It is not a call to be a pacifist or apathetic to a stressful person. Paul clarifies his teaching with “if possible” and “as it depends upon you.” Some conflicts are unavoidable, and some people are not looking for peace. There are times and places for disagreements and disputes, which could erupt into a fight. Not everything we do makes others happy. Neither is everything we do what God wants us to do. It could support “so far as it depends on you.” We must set aside our ego, pride, desires, and prejudices, keeping them out of the way of being at peace with others. Foremost, we must never do wrong things to other people. As Jesus taught, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

How can we live in peace in the world we live in? We must always be ready to admit our wrongs, apologize, and be prepared to forgive. Conflicts are not always related to wrongdoing. It can be as simple as a question on which two sides disagree on an issue without an absolute answer. In these situations, yielding and moving on is the wiser thing.

The Bible is clear about our convictions of truth. We take a stand with grace, mercy, and integrity. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23). If compromising the truth is the only way to peace, it is impossible. The choice then is no longer ours. When Peter and the disciples were told to stop preaching the truth, they answered with the truth. “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

In verse nineteen, Paul gives a command with a reason. All the other commands were for the benefit of others, and now Paul gives a command for the benefit of God. We see a finite view of wrongs, but God sees the infinite outcome of a wrong. Therefore, God is the better judge and gives the perfect judgment. Paul hints that we take revenge and dilute God’s opportunity to avenge.

Verse nineteen quotes Moses in Deuteronomy 32:35. “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Paul uses this quote to teach us that God always intended to take vengeance on wrongdoers. Paul is showing us that we should always trust God to deliver justice.

 Some may say God is merciful and might forgive the wrongs of others, forsaking what they deserve. How often we sometimes forget that Jesus took the burnt of our sins on the cross in our place. Those who reject the gift of His grace will suffer His wrath for eternity. If God showed us mercy, we should be willing to show mercy to all. 

If we are to show mercy and forgive those who have done us wrong, it does not mean we are to walk away from them. The Christian to whom the truth has been revealed is called to share that truth in return for evil. We are to engage them in seeking to do good. It is not a command to stay in a harmful position but to retreat, avoiding further abuse. Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22 in verse twenty.

At first, this seems to be an infuriating way to repay evil, but it has a certain ruthlessness. We bring down a fiery conviction upon them by feeding and giving them drinks. Two things happen. One, we show them the mercy of God, which He has shown us. Second, we show neither of us deserves to be treated wrongly. It also shows we are the stronger of the two. The pan of burning coals is from an Egyptian custom of carrying a pan of burning coals on one’s head as a sign of repentance. Ideally, showing goodness to the evil-doer will make them ashamed of themselves. The hope is it will bring them to repentance. Love your enemies is the most powerful thing to do towards an enemy.

In the last verse, Paul commands us to be strong in our convictions and live this way. We are not to let evil overcome us but overcome evil with good. When we, as Christians, repay evil with evil, we have become evil. The result is more sin, pain, and an endless cycle of revenge and hatred. Evil is defeated anytime Christians stand up and give back good to those who wrong them. Evil always struggles against courageous sacrificial love.

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, June 19, 2024