Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
During a rather grumpy part of my life, I loved the little snippet of verse 19, “leave room for God’s wrath”. I might have even been able to come up with a quick list, if God ever asked me for one… And, it’s true, that God is the only one who is truly qualified to judge. Yet, my focus on God’s wrath kept me from seeing the rest of the verse. As I was pre-occupied with pointing out others’ wrongs, I missed the overall message, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. (Rom 12:17, 21) Again and again we are reminded that we are called to show grace to all those we meet, just as God has shown grace to each of us. Today, consider concrete ways that you can overcome evil. What good will you do today?