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NASB | Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
Bible Question:
How how we doing, do we overcome evil with good? -Are we showing and doing good to those who look like those who caused terror? --What are ways we can do this? -Are we doing nothing toward them? Why? -Are we avoiding them, even crossing to the other side of the street? Wny? -Worse, do we hate them or want them dead? Why? -While, it may take awhile to forgive them, can we delay in overcoming evil with good? If so, for how long? |
Bible Answer: I assume these questions are for the attacks in NY WTC on 09-11-01. There are four things I want to mention in order to answer these sensitive questions. First: Romans 3:9-18 "for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE. THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING, THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS; WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS; THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN. THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.'" As it is written, all have sinned, no one seeks for God, and there is no fear of God before their eyes. Guess what? We are or were these people. We were blind, we did not seek for God, we had no fear of God, we were the blasphemers but by the grace of God do we know life which is in Christ Jesus. Second: Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," As for the Arab Americans here, show them love, more now than ever. This can be an opportunity to share the gospel with them. They are not to blame, don't hate them. If they are not our enemies, how much more shall we love them? Third: As to the above verse, Jesus is speaking to believers who have been persecuted for their faith in him. Can we apply this to our "enemies" abroad? Well, not exactly. Those who caused this attrocity must be punished. Governments were setup for that purpose, see Gen. 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man." Exodus 21:23-25 "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." These are legislative instructions not instructions for individuals. Governments are to do this, not us as individuals. Fourth: Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We should always have that eternal perspective, to follow our great commission, to make disciples of Christ. God has given us a great opportunity, let us take advantage of it. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Rom 12:21 | Author | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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onnig | ||
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begbie | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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canawedding | ||
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vhardie |