ROMANS 12:17-21 REAL CHRISTIAN LIVING I stopped today to ask myself, "Am I willing to live like Christ lived? Am I willing to love like Christ loved? Am I willing to forgive like Christ forgave?" - and I realized I needed to take another clear look at the grace of God I have received. God is expecting me to pass on His grace that He showed to me, to others through me. All thoughts and plans of "getting even" with those who have done evil to me must be put aside forever. Doing what is right by carefully thinking whether it looks, and actually is, right before the eyes of everyone, is a charge of holy behavior put on me. Honorable Christian living is expected of me no matter what others may do to me.
People may never like me and what I do in my life for God. They may think I am interfering in the lives of others as I seek to present the truth of God to them. But I am called upon to not be unnecessarily offensive or antagonistic to those around me in spite of what they might do. I am to be known as a peace-lover to everyone. It may be as a peace-lover I will be called upon to be a peace-maker by those who do not live in peace with those around them. My reputation as a Christian will not be tarnished if I don't insist on "standing up for my rights." I can not excuse the wrong another person does, but I can recognize and forgive him, and in Christ's name, love and show him grace like the Lord Jesus Christ did.
I may not feel like forgiving a person for wrongs done, but my attitude and actions are to be such that a healing of the relationship can take place. Bitterness on my part really only affects me at first but afterward can defile many. I cannot change the other person - only myself. It would be very wrong for me to set about making plans to deal with that other person in a negative way. God is the only One who can rectify a situation because He is the only One who "looks upon the heart." If righteous wrath is needed, it has to come from God. He can deal in a just and righteous way with any evil or wrong-doing. It may not come out now, but in the future. Vengeance is on the basis of perfect holiness - and that is only in God. We can intercede for enemies and even love them, but only God can take holy vengeance on them.
"Random acts of kindness" are important for us to consider as a way of bringing justice and/or change upon one who does not like me, what I do and what I stand for. The "coals of fire" may come, but they must come by means of the hand of God. There may be genuine repentance on the part of one who opposes the righteousness of God, when he has been given something, he really needs with no strings attached. When we bless those who persecute, and pray for those who are spiteful, it takes the sting out of what has happened to us. At the same time, it may produce a sense of guilt and remorse in one who has acted against you for no reason. "Coals of fire" will come from God on those who refuse His grace that has been extended through one who lives as a Christian should live.
The hate of those who oppose God's grace may overwhelm the Christian who is living in a sinful world. We are challenged and charged to not allow this to happen. We are to promote what is good, say what is good and do what is good. We are to be "a people zealous of good works." In that way we have something positive to show the love of God to others through our real Christian living. Maintaining a kind disposition is what the principle of overcoming entails.
There is no doubt if I live for God, That some people will not like me. To live according to the principles of God's Word, Will make wrong living easy to see. By carefully avoiding what I know is wrong, And committing to what is right - I will be known as one who in God is strong, And my Christian living will show some light.
It is not always easy to live in peace, When others seek to provoke some strife. My responsibility is to show real grace, And the value of a Christian life.
It is wrong for me to seek revenge For wrongs that to me were done. God alone knows how to make amends, In a way that pleases Him alone.
He may need to act in righteous wrath, Or He may choose to act with grace. He knows what led one down that path, And what is behind that hardened face. I can only see the outward appearance, God alone can look on the heart. I might act in inappropriate vengeance, God knows just where to start.
It is up to me to do good for evil, Even if I really don't want to. My vengeance really would not be equal, Unless I know all the other person has gone through. Mine is to give him something to eat, And if he is thirsty, give him a drink. That way when by God's direction we meet, He will be caused to stop and think.
If righteous wrath is to fall upon him, It will need to come from the hand of the Lord. Coals of fire have a special power in them, To make him stop and consider his words. It is possible that by my choosing to love The sinner but not his sin - He will seek out to get what he knows I have, And God, will in divine grace, save him.
"Father of all grace, this morning I am challenged again to be Christ-like in all I will be involved in today. May the truths that I teach, and the way I speak, be words of grace, seasoned with salt, and spoken in love like the Lord Jesus spoke when He was here. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."