First Baptist Church
AM Service
MANAGING MISTREATMENT
Romans 12:17-21
Romans 12:17-21 NKJV
I. PROHIBITION TO BE OBEYED (17a)
A. We are to repay no one evil for evil
B. No matter how great wrong has been done to us, we are never justified in wronging another person
C. Have already considered “not cursing” (14)
D. Here, all ways of evil retaliation are forbidden
E. Consistent teaching of Scripture
F. Forbidding personally avenging wrongs experienced
II. PLAN TO BE EMPLOYED (17b)
A. Does not mean that we are to remain passive
B. We need to recognize the source of evil that comes against us
C. We are to respond to evil that comes against us
D. We must plan to do that which is right & good & honest
E. We must plan our response ahead of time
III. PEACE TO BE SOUGHT (18)
A. God’s desire for his people to live in peace
B. How we handle hostility from others can effect our living in peace
C. Limitations on our ability to achieve peace
IV. PRINCIPLE TO BE REMEMBERED (19)
A. Never avenge yourself
B. Get out of God’s way
C. God will judge evil perfectly
V. POSITIVE TO BE PRACTICED (20-21)
A. Not enough to simply avoid returning evil for evil
B. We must actively do good to personal enemies
C. This results in heaping coals of fire upon the head of our enemy
D. We are to overcome evil with good