Posts Tagged ‘good v evil’

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Overwhelm Evil with Good

August 3, 2011

Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

  Since this passage in Romans is written to believers, I find it surprising that Paul refers to “evil” in the brethren.  The parallel passage in 1 Peter 3:8-9 expands on the thought:  “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”  1 Th. 5:15 also says, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all”

   One thing also stuck with me in the past few days, which is why I haven’t written.  If the Word tells us we can overcome evil with good…it has to be possible.  To “overcome” means “to conquer, master, suppress, prevail over, to surmount or overwhelm”.  Jesus told us that light dispels darkness.  So, why have we bought the lie of the devil that the darkness is too strong to combat?  Why have we just decided that these times are too far gone?  Why have we let go and given in?

   Christians are afraid of the ACLU and threatened lawsuits.  We are afraid to “offend”.  We have no backbones.  We allow ourselves to be overcome with evil and, for the most part, do not fight back.  Overcoming evil with good is not just to “pray for them”.  It is taking a stand.  What if the Apostles just “prayed about it”…Christianity would never have taken root at all.  And, speaking of darkness, Paul preached during Nero’s reign.

   Once again, I am disappointed in us and in myself.

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Rejoice in Your Hope (Ro. 12:12a)

July 6, 2011

I often wonder how those without faith can navigate this world.  I also can see the anger and combativeness of those who have chosen not to believe.  Without faith, there is no hope.   There are “wishes”, but no hope.

I often wanted to be able to place into an unbeliever, just for a minute, the experience of faith, hope and love in Christ.  Unfortunately, I cannot.

I listen to those who hate Christianity and am so grateful that I have the Lord, that the Father called me.  I don’t know why, but I am sure because scripture tells me, that He calls all men to Him.

We are being watched (even when vilified).  No matter what happens, we must rejoice in our hope.  God has planned everything out for us (Jer. 29:11) and nothing in His Kingdom happens by chance.  We are placed here to show others the Hope that overcomes all obstacles and by our example to draw others to Christ.   Our hope springs eternal…and is a beacon here in the surrounding darkness.  Let your light shine!

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Zeal…Ro. 12:11a and Isaiah 6:8

July 4, 2011

 Still in Romans 12:11.  Yesterday, while still thinking about “zeal”, I could not shake the prodding  of the Holy Spirit.  I previously wrote about how I felt when I was first born again and how zealous I was to proclaim what God had done in my life.  There is more to it than that.

 Little by little, our faith is being eroded in this country.  It is being chipped away by those who choose to misinterpret our Constitution.  The threat of someone’s perceived discomfort is enough for the ACLU to attack long standing Judeo/Christian practices and bully establishments to remove God from the public arena.

 The latest is that the VA will no longer allow any reference to God in their funeral services without Government approval!!!  What country do we live in? 

 Yet, as this trend continues, backed by progressive Judges who do not honor the Constitution, we Christians just sit back and shake our heads.   Me too.

 Jesus asked if there would be faith on the earth when He returned.  Will there?

 Who is the one who says to God, “Here am I Lord, send me.”

 Maybe we should look at the way that Russia became communist or what led up to Hitler’s holocaust.  I am sure that God was removed, little by little, chipped away bit by bit, while the Christians did nothing.  It’s happening again and it’s happening here. 

Good v. evil continues…and God still asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”  Is silence the only answer He hears?

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Hold Fast to That Which is Good

June 29, 2011

Romans 1:9 continues with this command.  We looked at “hate what is evil” yesterday.  The evil v. good is an ever continuing theme in our lives.

We live in a world where evil is prevalent, where we are surrounded by  negative impulses via the news, people’s bad attitudes, a lack of love and caring, self-centered and narcissistic desires calling out to us continually.  In the midst of this darkness, we are called by Paul to hold fast to that which is good.

Since we are not part of this world, thank God, just in it, we do not have to get pulled away from God’s peace unless we choose to go.  Jesus left us with the peace that passes understanding.  He left us so that the Holy Spirit could guide us through this maze of trials, tribulations and just plain ugliness.  We have a Spiritual Guide who can show us the “good” amidst the evil.

I need to keep my spiritual antenna up so that I don’t miss an opportunity to see good, to see a need that I can meet, to give a smile to someone with a somber countenance and see their face come alive, to help in little ways.  It brightens my day and pierces the darkness.

I need to guard my thoughts, to cast down vain imaginations, to think on these things: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise.” (Phil.4:8)  It’s a treasure hunt, yet those things are there to find and rejoice over.

There is a slogan that sums it up.  “Let it begin with me…”

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