Sunday, April 10, 2005
Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
by Leanne Lippincott
These verses overflow with challenging advice on how Christians should act. I especially like the admonition to associate with “people in low positions” (v. 16, NIV).
When my late husband was in his early 20s, he often joined Evangelist Arthur Blessit in ministering on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip. One day, Denny invited a motorcycle gang member to church. The following Sabbath, this scruffy-looking character showed up with a necktie fastened around his leg. Since Denny couldn’t come up with a good reason why men should wear them around their necks, he tied his necktie around his leg, too. Denny made a man of “low position” feel comfortable and accepted for who and what he was—a child of God in need of a Savior.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
