Rules for the Christian Life – Part 2

Romans 12:14-21

Chapter 48

Verses 1-2 of Romans 12 are still the starting point for the verses before us now. So keep these verses in mind as we go on with Paul's exhortation or encouragement.

Let blessing flow towards others through your way of life, even if they behave badly. Blessing means to wish someone well. We tend to dislike someone who's unfriendly to us, that is, we wish unpleasant things on him. To be able to bless while enduring persecutions, you must look at the Lord Jesus. He is again tin perfect example. Did He not pray at the cross for His persecutors, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"?(a)

(a) Luke 23:34

Is someone around you happy? "Rejoice" with him. This doesn't refer to the empty pleasure of this world. You can rejoice about the pleasant things God gives to others, even to unbelievers. Think of all kinds of earthly blessings like someone getting married or having a baby, or an unemployed person finding a job. You can join in the joy these things give. Yet, to "weep with those who weep" is more difficult. To share someone's grief is to sympathize. An incurable disease and death are terrible things. Unbelievers as well will appreciate it if we show sympathy. This can give an opportunity to talk of the Lord Jesus.

Experiencing certain things together, such as joy and grief makes it easier to be like-minded with one another. We can have the same desires. This like-mindedness can exist only as we have the desire to live for the Lord Jesus. For this, being "humble" is an important condition! Striving after "high things" makes us feel elevated above others. Then we will begin to stand on our own, apart from the others with whom we form the one body in Christ.(b) When we are not humble, we lose the ability to be like-minded. We can only learn this from the Lord Jesus.(c) By learning from Him, we show we're not wise in our eyes.

(b) Romans 12:5

(c) Matthew 11:29

To "repay ... evil for evil" was proper for the Israelite of the Old Testament (an eye for an eye, etc.), but it's not proper for a New Testament Christian. Christians should radiate God's characteristics and have "regard for good things in the sight of all men." As far as it depends on you, you ought to live in peace with all people. This is not always possible as can be seen in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is the Prince of peace. Yet, by Him unrest and quarrels entered families because a choice had to be made either for Him or against Him. Maybe you have experienced this. But such discord should not be caused by a wrong act on your side.

When you're treated wrongly, you don't have to avenge yourself or become angry. You can leave the wrath to God. In His time He will execute His justice. What you should do is the opposite; you should make those who wrong you feel ashamed. Many have already been won for the Lord because of believers who did well to their enemies and blessed them instead of cursing them.

"Do not be overcome by evil." The world is filled with evil, and sin is still present inside you. The world around you and the flesh in you are on excellent terms with each other. But the body of sin has been annulled and you should no longer serve sin.(d) In the same way that God has overcome the evil in us with the good that He gave in the Lord Jesus, you can now overcome evil with good. You thus overcome evil when the enemy fails to get you to react in a wrong way! You can use this opportunity to show the goodness and mercies of God. In 2 Kings 6:8-23 you find a beautiful illustration of such a victory in the way Elisha reacted.

(d) Romans 6:6

Ger de Koning

Now read Romans 12:14-21 again.

Reflection: To what degree can these rules for the Christian life can be found in you?

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