Romans 12:18-21 – Living as a Christian

Topic: Living as a Christian

Reading: Romans 12:18-21

18 If possible, so far as it depends upon 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 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Introduction and Overview

These last few verses of Romans 12 comprise the third lesson on living as a Christian. If you have not read the last two posts, then I recommend you do so. Living as a Christian as we will see in this session shows us how much higher a standard is required of those who follow Christ. We are called to peace and to be emissaries of the peace of Christ.

The law as given to Moses set a standard of living acceptable to God. But it was the lowest standard, not the highest. The law represented the minimum standard people were to achieve. Living as a Christian is a much higher standard, and that is evident in the scriptures today.

Key points from reading:

1. Living as a Christian means to find the path of peace within ourselves and with everyone else around us.
2. Christians are not to be vengeful or vindictive regardless of what anyone may do to us or even those we love. God will deal with the violent and judge them according to His will.
3. When we suffer evil we are not to allow it to overcome us to do evil in return.

Discussion:

1. Scripture: Romans 12:18
   • This verse provides evidence of the higher standard to which we are called. When living as a Christian, we are to walk in peace and find the path of peace with everyone around us. To the extent that we can promote peace with all, we should do so.
   • There will be times and people who come against us as Christians for evil. We will be hated without just cause, just as Jesus was hated. This will happen. Living as a Christian means that we stand against the evil in this world. We oppose what they believe and do, and so we become enemies of the world.
   • In spite of that we must live peaceably with all. This is a much higher standard than the law provided. Under the law, the rule of retaliation was acceptable. The law stated an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If someone did evil against you, under the law you could retaliate.
   • But living as a Christian we follow the teachings of Christ. He taught us to turn the other cheek. He taught us not to oppose an evil man who may try to plunder our goods or hurt our person. He taught us that if we are forced to go one mile, we should go two miles. Living as a Christian, we are being held to a higher standard, the standard of God.
2. Scripture: Romans 12:19
   • Now, just because we do not fight back against those who do us evil, does not mean they will get away with it. Living as a Christian, our hope and desire for others is that they will find Christ. But God will repay every person for what they do, good or evil.
   • This verse tells us that God will avenge His people who are treated badly. It is not our place to take revenge. And besides, a man’s vengeance may be completely out of proportion to the evil committed against them. God is just. God will repay and take vengeance in the right manner. We do not know whether the evil person is being called and whether our act of kindness by not retaliating will cause them to stop and consider the direction of their life. But God knows, and He can and does use discipline to push people on to the right track.
   • So, when living as a Christian, we again see the higher standard to which we are called. We must recall that God is in control of everything that happens. He is also the one who will avenge wrongs against His people, and we must leave it to the wrath of God. As Christians, we follow Christ who came to save lives, not destroy them.
3. Scripture: Romans 12:20
   • In this verse we see the potential effect of doing good to those who hate us and oppose us. Living as a Christian means we must act as Christians in front of everyone. Enemies should be treated the same way as our brethren. If they are in need, help them. If they are hungry, feed them. And if they are thirsty, give them drink.
   • They will not understand why those who are living as a Christian would do such things. To them it will seem foreign, perhaps even crazy to help an enemy. But it will also cause them shame to admit they were helped by an opponent. It will burn within them and some will seek to understand, and perhaps ask why you would do such a thing. These may be the first kernels of seeking Christ and may grow to a full blown faith. And as for those who do the opposite, God will deal with them.
   • As mentioned previously, this is a higher standard for those living as a Christian. God provides for all people, both good and bad. He sends rain on the just and the unjust, as it says in Matthew 5:43-45. We are called to love our enemies in the same way. When they need help, give it, just as the Good Samaritan helped someone who was technically an enemy, for the Jews and Samaritans hated one another.
4. Scripture: Romans 12:21
   • The whole essence of living as a Christian is summed up in this last verse of Romans 12. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” All that we do while living as a Christian is aimed at this goal.
   • There is also a deeper message in this verse that we ought to remember. Whilst evil seems to be powerful, doing good is more powerful. You will note in the words of the verse that it is “good” that overcomes evil. Good will always overcome evil because “good” comes from God. God is good and He is the supreme power and strength over all. And we know also that God is love, and love is the greatest power of all.
   • Living as a Christian means to aim at living in love, as God is love. And to live in love means to do the works of love, which are positive, upbuilding, encouraging, and strengthening. This applies to our relationships and interactions with all people, both good and bad. Whether we have any impact on the evil people does not really matter. They have a free will just as we do. But when we do good and suffer evil for it, we still win the approval of God. So, again, good triumphs over evil. Let us then always seek to do good to all so that while we are living as a Christian, we are pleasing God in all things.

Prayer Points

1. Pray and ask God to help you as you are living as a Christian. Ask God to show you the pathway of good at all times.
2. Pray for the strength to stand against the evil of this world and to follow the example of Jesus who taught us not to retaliate, but to turn the other cheek.
3. And finally pray to find the peace of Christ and that it will rule in your heart, and to find peace with everyone with whom you come into contact.