Reasonable Service

Romans 9: 1-4a - “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites;”

In William Newell’s commentary on Romans he quotes Bengel as saying, “It is not easy to estimate the measure of love in a Moses and a Paul. For our limited reason does not grasp it, as the child cannot comprehend the courage of warriors!”

Exodus 32:31,32 - “And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin―; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”

Moses and Paul loved God with all their hearts and through their love for Him they had fallen in love with their families, friends, and neighbors to the point where they were willing to be blotted out for their sake.

Even though the Jews hated and despised Paul he continued to love them. How radical a love Paul and Moses displayed for the Jews. It reminds us alot of the love of Christ. Christ was willing to endure all of the wrath of God for our sake.

How is your love for your neighbors today? Do you want vengeance on someone? Are you bitter toward someone? Remember what Christ, Paul, and Moses went through for their neighbor’s sake. They were hated, despised, and gossiped about yet they continued to love and spend and be spent for them.

Romans 12:21- Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Don’t let your anger conquer you by talking you into doing something evil. Revenge is the Lord’s responsibility. We are to love our enemies. Don’t give place to it, let God take care of this business. The Bible says overcome evil with good. In the previous verse it gives examples. It says if your enemies is hungry give him food or if he is thirsty give him something to drink. It goes on to say that by doing so you shall heap coals of fire upon his head. That is overcoming evil with good.

Today, how are you going to react to enemies that come into your life. They may say mean things, gossip about you, or even go beyond this. What will you do? Will you be overcome by evil or will you grab your shovel and start heaping coals of fire upon their heads? Overcome evil with good today!