By Gary Woodall
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 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 12:9-21 (NASB)
I think we can all agree, at least, that the times in which we find ourselves are difficult and polarizing. As an American in these circumstances, there are many feelings and emotions that may be negative and even wrong and difficult to control. As a Christian we are called to a higher plane above our baser feelings and emotions.
We are to bless those who persecute us; bless and not curse. “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.” We must respect what is right in the sight of all men, and never take our own vengeance. Taking vengeance is robbing God of what is his.
So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men., never pay back evil for evil to anyone. respect what is right. Take care of your enemy’s needs for food or water, show them the love of Christ.
Finally, do not overcome evil with evil but overcome evil with good.
Do good, be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Being a doer of the word is not always easy or natural, but it is required of us if we are to be Christians.
The elders love you, we pray for you and want you and us all to go to heaven.
For the elders, Gary