Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 17: “Don’t Be Evil
This week’s study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we’ve come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Verse 21 reads, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”. What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn’t going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.
This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, “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.”
What’s with that last part? The imagery doesn’t seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one’s head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God’s family.
