“Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).

Grace and peace to the saints.  

Last week’s memory verse, Romans 12:20, admonished us to feed our enemies, and, in so doing, “heap coals of fire upon his head.”  This week’s verse continues this theme, as it is vitally important that we, as Christians, know how to relate to our enemies, for we live in the midst of them.  

We in the so-called Christian West are not familiar with persecution of the nature and to the degree as are those Christians in Africa and elsewhere who are dying for their testimony.  But many of us are experiencing persecution of a subtler nature, involving harassment of various methods.  

It is important that in the face of these myriad temptations, we do not respond to our enemies in kind.  This verse commands us to resist the urge to treat our enemies the way they treat us.  Though sometimes it will be very difficult, and though we will, at times, fail, we should strive not to imitate the behavior of the ungodly, for this does not glorify the Lord Jesus.

Be encouraged and look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Still Man

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