Romans 12:17-21: "Duty Towards an Enemy"
Paul has finally reached the end of the section in which he addresses our behavior and attitudes towards others. He lastly moves to our attitude towards our enemies. He begins, "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone". This moves one step further than the previous command to curse those who curse us. Not only are we not to curse them, but we are never to exact revenge against them. Even more than that we are not to let thoughts of revenge even enter our hearts. For as Christ says in Matt. 5:21-22, "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell". God will exact His revenge on those who curse Him, he does not need us to enact His justice. We must remain humbly, understanding that we were once an enemy of God.
Moving on, in relation to our enemies, Paul says, "respect what is right in the sight of all men". MacArthur writes, "If we genuinely respect others, including our enemies, we will have a 'built-in' protection against angrily repaying them evil for evil and will be predisposed to doing what is right toward them". If we hold up everyone in a respectful attitude, it hegdes us against desiring revenge against them. In regards to the statement, "in the sight of all men", MacArthur writes, "Paul is not speaking of hidden feelings but of outwardly expressed goodness. Our forgiving, gracious behavior toward our enemy should commend us to them and to others who witness that behavior". We should do this in the sight of all men to be witnesses and examples, rather than try to be seen to promote ourselves.
Continuing with the desire for peace and reconciliation with our enemies, Paul writes, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men". Paul has to conditionalize this statement. In order for their to be peace, both parties must desire it. Therefore, to the extent it is up to us, we should make every effort to be at peace with everyone. MacArthur writes, "Our responsibility is to make sure that our side of the relationship is right, that our inner desire is genuinely to be at peace with all men, even the meanest and most undeserving".
Just to reiterate proper Christian conduct towards our enemies, Paul exclaims, "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God". Repeating what he previously said, Paul is warning us against revenge, however, this time he gives us the reason why. No matter the seriousness of the wrong done to us, we must not wish revenge on the other. This is easier said than done. It is not wrong to desire justice within the boundaries of common law, however, we are not to try to take justice into our own hands, we must relinquish that right to the one the sin has been done against, and that is God. In His perfect timing God will repay.
Lastly, Paul challenges us to overcome evil. As the Bible always does, it always takes our responsibility one step further. Paul tells us, "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 upon his head". MacArthur writes, "merely not returning evil for evil does not fulfill our responsibility. And sometimes the positive part is more difficult. To withhold vengeance is one thing. It requires only doing nothing. But to actually return good for evil is quite another. Paul quotes Prov. 25:21-22 to help us understand how we are to react to our enemies. Helping explain the phrase "you will heap burning coals upon his head", MacArthur says, "The phrase heap burning coals upon his head referred to an ancient Egyptian custom. When a person wanted to demonstrate public contrition, he would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to represent the burning pain for his shame and guilt. The point here is that, when we love our enemy and genuinely seek to meet his needs, we shame him for his hatred". To summarize all he has just said, and help us understand the motive behind this incredibly difficult behavior, it is to understand that we should "not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". All this is predicated on the understanding that we cannot accomplish any of this without the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit. May we be led by the Spirit in our attitudes and actions to all.
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell". God will exact His revenge on those who curse Him, he does not need us to enact His justice. We must remain humbly, understanding that we were once an enemy of God.
Moving on, in relation to our enemies, Paul says, "respect what is right in the sight of all men". MacArthur writes, "If we genuinely respect others, including our enemies, we will have a 'built-in' protection against angrily repaying them evil for evil and will be predisposed to doing what is right toward them". If we hold up everyone in a respectful attitude, it hegdes us against desiring revenge against them. In regards to the statement, "in the sight of all men", MacArthur writes, "Paul is not speaking of hidden feelings but of outwardly expressed goodness. Our forgiving, gracious behavior toward our enemy should commend us to them and to others who witness that behavior". We should do this in the sight of all men to be witnesses and examples, rather than try to be seen to promote ourselves.
Continuing with the desire for peace and reconciliation with our enemies, Paul writes, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men". Paul has to conditionalize this statement. In order for their to be peace, both parties must desire it. Therefore, to the extent it is up to us, we should make every effort to be at peace with everyone. MacArthur writes, "Our responsibility is to make sure that our side of the relationship is right, that our inner desire is genuinely to be at peace with all men, even the meanest and most undeserving".
Just to reiterate proper Christian conduct towards our enemies, Paul exclaims, "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God". Repeating what he previously said, Paul is warning us against revenge, however, this time he gives us the reason why. No matter the seriousness of the wrong done to us, we must not wish revenge on the other. This is easier said than done. It is not wrong to desire justice within the boundaries of common law, however, we are not to try to take justice into our own hands, we must relinquish that right to the one the sin has been done against, and that is God. In His perfect timing God will repay.
Lastly, Paul challenges us to overcome evil. As the Bible always does, it always takes our responsibility one step further. Paul tells us, "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 upon his head". MacArthur writes, "merely not returning evil for evil does not fulfill our responsibility. And sometimes the positive part is more difficult. To withhold vengeance is one thing. It requires only doing nothing. But to actually return good for evil is quite another. Paul quotes Prov. 25:21-22 to help us understand how we are to react to our enemies. Helping explain the phrase "you will heap burning coals upon his head", MacArthur says, "The phrase heap burning coals upon his head referred to an ancient Egyptian custom. When a person wanted to demonstrate public contrition, he would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to represent the burning pain for his shame and guilt. The point here is that, when we love our enemy and genuinely seek to meet his needs, we shame him for his hatred". To summarize all he has just said, and help us understand the motive behind this incredibly difficult behavior, it is to understand that we should "not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". All this is predicated on the understanding that we cannot accomplish any of this without the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit. May we be led by the Spirit in our attitudes and actions to all.
posted by amesfam | 9:08 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home