Gracious (Part 1)
Romans 12:17-18 Emmanuel Christian Church 9.3.23
INTRODUCTION: God wants to “trans” the world! From it’s current broken, distorted and sinful condition- back to the original created order He named “good”.
He challenges those of us who walk in His way, and call on His name, with these words:
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
God’s Word calls us to the transformed spirit of GRACIOUSNESS.
Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
PROPOSITION: We have an unbelievable opportunity before us! In the midst of a culture that is angry and vindictive- God has given us the ultimate weapon for good- the Divine power of His gracious Spirit. In our natural selves, we cannot wield that weapon, but by God’s transforming power in our own lives, and through His strengthening, we can become experts in utilizing its power.
God says: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
Graciousness in the face of evil.
- What is it called when we DO repay evil with evil? It’s NOT “vengeance”,
it’s just plain EVIL.
- What did “mom” always say? “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” - “Well, what about the Scripture that says:”
Leviticus 24:19 If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured.
- Isn’t that proof that God says it’s OK to seek “vengeance”? Yes. But repaying evil for evil ISN’T VENGEANCE- it’s just EVIL!
- The three occasions we find the “eye for eye” principle in the Old Testament, two are given as a RESTRAINT against unreasonable punishment, and the third is described as the LEGAL DETERRENT against the crime of bearing false witness.
- But, God NEVER gave US license to repay evil with evil, or “fight fire with fire”. And while it IS OK to seek vengeance- GOD is the only One who is actually able to do it! God Himself tells us that “vengeance” is a right that belongs ONLY to Him:
Deuteronomy 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay.
- God’s vengeance is NOT about evil repaying evil. It is about RIGHTEOUS JUSTICE repaying evil.
- God’s vengeance is always from the perspective of His own moral perfection (a position to which no human can make claim!). He’s ALWAYS RIGHT when He executes His vengeance!
- Truth be known, God severely restrains His vengeance! Instead, time after time God Himself has demonstrated His GRACIOUSNESS in the face of evil.
- The rebellion in the Garden was NOT met with instant death, but rather merciful (yet painful) consequences and the promise of a Savior (Genesis 3:15).
- When, in Noah’s day, all of mankind had become so corrupt that the intent of every heart was only on evil all the time, God mercifully preserved the human race through a world-wide flood, and one righteous family.
- In the 18th chapter of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, God again demonstrates His graciousness in the face of evil. He clearly sets forth these principles:
- Children are NOT responsible for the sins of their parents, nor parents for the sins of their children. The only sin anyone will ever be held to account for - is their own personal sin. (Ezekiel 18:20)
- Those who turn from their sin and pursue righteousness will have their sins forgotten by God (Ezekiel 18:22)
- Hear God’s own GRACIOUS words to wicked sinners:
Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:30 “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
- And then, of course, there are the very words of Jesus:
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
APPLICATION: Nobody said this would be easy! But, just in case you needed a little extra motivation, think about these words from God’s Word:
Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
And remember this:
Titus 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
God says: “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
Graciousness in the pursuit of good.
- It its the hard core cynic who came up with the phrase: “No good deed goes unpunished!”
- The only reason that phrase has hung around is that it DOES speak to the general unfairness of life.
- Mom always said: “Do the right thing, and it will all work out.” Well, mom was WRONG! Do the right thing and they will mock you, beat you and nail you to a cross!
Psalms 10:2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
Psalms 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
- So WHY BOTHER?! BECAUSE “good” always ULTIMATELY overcomes evil!
- Remember, GRACIOUSNESS is the ultimate weapon in the realm of spiritual warfare!
- Listen to God’s Word:
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
God says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
- Our first position in all things ought always be the of “Peacemaker”. - Our God is the God of Peace (Paul uses the expression 5 times)
- Jesus came to “make peace” between God and man.
Graciousness in the midst of turmoil.
Colossians 1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
- Jesus said, the path to blessing is the “peacemakers” path.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
- Practically speaking, peace always precedes prosperity.
1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
- Having received God’s grace, we are able to extend grace to those who themselves are without it. Paul was someone who understood this very personally:
Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Graciousness is a powerful sermon we can preach in the attitudes and actions we carry into this week.
