Overcome Evil With Good

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:19-21

This is totally contrary to the way we humans think about people who mistreat us.  We want revenge.  

But that is not what Christians are to do.  We are to take a step back and wait and find an opportunity to do something for them.  In showing kindness we show the love of God to people who need to see it and feel it. 

Kindness costs us nothing and does much to further the Gospel.   

Empathize With Others

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15 

As Christians we are to empathize with others, that is to feel what they feel emotionally.  While we like celebrating joy for others, it is more difficult when we feel their sorrow.

This means that it is not always other Christians who we are empathizing with but also unbelievers who need someone to see them as they are - happy or hurting or alone.  

This can be a heavy burden to bear, but it also does much to further the Gospel.  Those who we standby in the tough moments in life can come to understand the love of God for them.  And, in this too we grow more aware of the greater importance of our role as Christians.   

So, when the opportunity arises for us to show the love and compassion of God to others, we can embrace the moment and join with them in their joy or sorrow. 

The Gifts of the Spirit

 

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:4-14 

The gifts of the Spirit are given to Christians as God sees fit.  We are no better or more valuable than another Christian based upon the gift which we receive.  God has designed His church as a body of believers whose work supports one another in furthering the message of the Gospel.  

If you are not sure of what your gift is, pray and examine your ministry in the Church and realize whatever that gift might be, that God has given you something special which is your ministry to others.  

Your gift is for the common good. 

The Gentleness of Wisdom

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

James 2:13-18

We all think we are smart, but this scripture warns us to consider our motives when we are trying to get things done.  The question is:  Are we working for our own gain or are working to best serve the needs of others?   

This is not to say, that we are not to consider our own needs, but to consider if our wants and desires are detrimental to other people.  Sometimes it is a matter of how we go about getting things done.

That being said, we are to strive to be peaceable, gentle, reasonable and show mercy to foster a spirit of peace in our actions. 

In this way, we further the work of the Gospel by making peace. 

God's Promises Are For You

This is what the Lord says, He who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
‘Do not fear, Jacob My servant,
And Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 

For I will pour water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring,
And My blessing on your descendants;
And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.’

Isaiah 44:2-4 

All of God's promises are for you.   

When we asked Jesus to be our Savior, He took away our punishment for sin and turning away from God, but God left for us all His promises and blessings from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  

That is why we can be encouraged every day by reading the Bible.  God's promises are to us and for us, so that we will not be discouraged but be uplifted in our faith knowing that no matter what God is on our side. 

Know this:  God will pour out His blessings on you and your family. 

We Are Blameless Before God

 

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Colossians 1:21-23

This puts the kibosh on thinking we are not good enough to serve God.  No one is perfect and everyone has done wrong things.  Yet, in spite of this, God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus to reconcile us to Him.  God holds us blameless.  

We are freed from our pasts, and are party to the promises of God and are to continue steadfast in the hope of the gospel. 

The Power Of The Gospel

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

But many of those who heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts 4:1-4

When Peter and John set out to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they had no idea what would happen. They believed in the power of their message.

Even when they were arrested and put in jail, the power of the message took hold and many came to believe in Jesus.

We should not grow discouraged because the outward signs may indicate that the message of the Gospel is being rejected, because it is not the outward signs which reveal the power of the Gospel, but the inward changes in the hearts of men, women and children. 

The power of the Gospel is unstoppable.