Overcoming Evil

At the end of the Civil War, President Lincoln was asked how he would treat Southerners when they returned to the Union. The questioner expected that Lincoln would be bitter and vengeful. Indeed, he would make them earn their way back in. He answered, "I will treat them as if they had never been away."

An unusual response. After all, the Southerners that had seceded from the Union had killed thousands of Northern soldiers, destroyed property, and seemed to support everything the North had fought to change. Why wouldn't Lincoln make them pay? Why didn't the president seek to even the score, make them come crawling back, and cause them to suffer for what they had done? History wouldn't have blamed him, right?

Why didn't Lincoln do these things?

Because he understood the truth as told in Romans 12:17-21:

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

This is one of those passages of Scripture that many like to read quickly and move on. After all, look at the list of what God tells us to do:

• Repay evil with good.
• Do what's honorable when the other person hasn't been honorable.
• Live peaceably with others when they don't deserve it.
• Don't seek revenge.
• Be kind to our enemies.

How? Why? It doesn't seem fair, does it? The world screams to get even, and God says you don't. Our friends tell us to make them pay, and God says, "Trust Me, I'll take care of it." Why would anyone follow these directives? Why would anybody treat people better than themselves? Why would someone give up their right to settle things their way?

Simple. Because that's what Christ did. Sinless Christ; the King of kings; all man, yet all God; perfect and unblemished—This is the One Who climbed up and let His creation nail Him to a cross, pierce His side with a spear, and put a crown of ragged thorns on His head. And as people mocked and spit at Him, He forgave those doing it before the saliva could dry.

There was so much injustice, so much unnecessary hatred toward the Son of God. And yet, this injustice and hatred were met with so much love. Jesus chose to show compassion and forgive. So why should we waive our right to revenge? Because Christ did.

As you read this, I can imagine your thoughts: "Pastor, you don't know what they did. If I treat them this way, then they win, don't they? If I turn the other cheek, they'll just hit me on that one too." Jesus didn't say it would be easy, but real growth, genuine faith—real and long-lasting change—never is. Resist the urge to dismiss these verses as impossible. Don't give in to the enemy telling you this doesn't apply. Doing the godly thing is rarely popular or easy. However, it is obedient. It is bless-able. And it is always the right choice.