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Vengeance is Mine
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 When a believer chooses to live for God, opposition will come; hurts, insult and persecution were the norm in the early church. We can get angry, discouraged and hurt, and, at times, tempted to retaliate. Paul was admonishing the Roman Christians to respond righteously when they felt the desire to respond with anger and vengeance. Paul’s admonishment was threefold. To resist the temptation to avenge ourselves. It is never the spirit of the Lord Jesus to retaliate or fight back because that is what…
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Be at Peace with Men
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 When Adam and Eve were created, there was world peace. There was only two of them; they were one with each other and they were one with God. Everything they did was in unison and harmony and there was no strife, dissension and problem. However when they sinned against God, the unity was broken and strife entered into this world. Yet, through the death of the Lord Jesus and His resurrection and with the power in us to have the peace of God in our hearts and the ability to preserve the peace…
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Our Lives Before Men
Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17 Men are open books before the world. Everyone is scrutinized by someone else. A teacher’s life is up for students’ inspection; a politician’s lifestyle is monitored and critiqued at every move; a father or mother is scrutinized by children who learn to imitate what they see and hear. A Christian is no exception. In reality, the Christian is oftentimes held to a standard higher than the world at large. The world carefully looks over the Christian, especially in the times of crisis or trouble, to see how the Christian responds and how lives by his principles. We can either…
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When We Are Offended
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Romans 12:17 This was Paul’s admonition for a people oppressed by the Roman nonbelievers. As believers in the Lord Jesus, they received multiple assaults and insults from the citizens of their world. Words uttered and actions committed in persecution of Christians are significant in the early church. Many died, lost their jobs, had their families torn up and their lives destroyed because of their faith and because of the malicious intent of their persecutors. Yet the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul as the Lord Jesus spake to those who would hear Him, saying, “recompense to no man evil for evil.” But I say…
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Letting Things Go, Reaching the Goal
Forgetting those things which are behind Philippians 3:13 Everyone has a past. Some have glorious pasts of achievement, victory and gain. Some have pasts of failures, loss and shame. It is never GOD’s intention for His people to dwell in the past. Being bound by time and space, life’s situations and events that happened to us now happens to us in the here and now. When it is over, the event is left in that time space that GOD intended it to be. The event itself is never to be brought forward. If it is, it will be out of place, and become a mismatch with the next programme. Like a play with many…
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In the Fullness of Time
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son Galatians 4:4 The events of history moved according to an invisible sequence of order, known only to the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of this Universe. His name is I AM, the self-existent One, the One who owes His existence to no one, and who depends on no one for His existence, for He is the Great I AM. God who is all-present, is here now, yet He is present in the past and He is present in the future. This great truth indicates that He is outside of time, and cannot be limited…
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One Mind
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16 Living together in the local church requires each member of the body of Christ to have interpersonal relationships with one another. As the brain interconnects with different parts of the body so that it operates efficiently and as a whole, the local church is no different. Every member ought to have the same ends, the same goal and aspiration within and for the body of Christ, and that is to ensure its growth, its continuous obedience to Christ, its fulfillment of the Great Commission and the discipling of…
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One Joy, One Tear
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 Be glad with them that are happy and sob with them that are weeping. The principle that Paul encourages for the christians is that they are to be same-hearted, and same-minded towards one another, that each of us ought to feel the joys and sorrows of each of their Christian friends. Many when they are elated, would want to tell another person of their joy and gladness, and those who are sad , will need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, a word of encouragement or just a silent listener. But Paul admonishes us to go further, to…
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Bless Our Enemies
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:14 Opposition must never be a surprise to a Christian walking with God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only yo believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake Philippians 1:29 It is therefore to be expected in the life of a Christian. When a Christian has been dragged before the courts to be judged for his faith or ostracized simply for being a Christian, it is important that we understand biblically what and how we are to respond. What is Paul’s admonition to us when we face persecution and opposition from…
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Caring
Distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality Romans 12:13 Brotherly love is a principle every Christian need in their hearts. When the Lord Jesus saved us, He placed in all His children the ability to love one another , because we are all bought by the blood of Christ and are thus in the same family of GOD. Worldly philosophy and fleshly ambitions and ways may hinder such love, yet it is a commandment of the Lord. And the way to overcome such prejudice and to be more Christ like is to obey the clear teachings of Scripture. How are we to have brotherly love? Paul teaches us the practice principles of care.…