Romans 12:14-21
Introduction:
1. Tonight, we close this series out with perhaps the most difficult call of all.
2. The mere existence of this series presumes conflict and tension.
3. The Lord demands His disciple respond in what is to most an outrageous way.
Discussion:
I. The Audacious Call
A. People of many different sorts have philosophies of non-retaliation.
B. Jesus took this to new heights with His prescription for responding to mistreatment.
1. Jesus advanced non-retaliation into love for enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36).
2. This is part of living life as a sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1, 14-21).
II. The Foundation of the Call
A. This is an outworking of the life transformed by the gospel, in sharp contrast to the life conformed (schematized) to the world’s pattern (Romans 12:1-2).
B. If we return to Matthew 5 and Luke 6, we find this manner of life is simply a part of our imitating the Father, being merciful as He is merciful (Luke 6:36; cf. Ephesians 5:1ff).
C. This concept goes back to God’s wisdom revealed in the OT (Proverbs 25:21).
III. Assurance for Heeding the Call
A. The knee jerk human reaction to insults and injuries is to seek retribution.
B. How do we satisfy our sense of justice while choosing not to exact it ourselves?
C. Paul’s argument primarily rests on two principles from the OT.
1. Vengeance is God’s prerogative, not ours (12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 94:1; Hebrews 10:30), all souls being His and all (Ezekiel 18:4).
2. God will bless the one who yields to God’s prerogative (Proverbs 25:21).
D. Fundamentally, this is a question of trusting in God’s righteousness to avenge, His promise to reward, and His wisdom to sway lost souls with this radical response.
Conclusion:
1. As we navigate this upside-down world uprightly, it will surely bring conflict.
2. Despite the difficulty, we must overcome evil with good as children of our Father.
Further Food for Thought
1. Can you think of a more difficult call from the gospel than this one?
2. Do you bristle at the idea of returning goodness on those who despise you?
3. I’ll go first and admit I do, so how do we help one another overcome this challenge?