The Disciple’s Command
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good Romans 12:17-21
A Christian might read our text above and think “That’s challenging but I don’t know if I could really follow it.” A disciple of Christ would read it thinking, “That’s challenging and that’s what I have to do.”
In the midst of the Korean War in 1948 a band of communists overran the town of Soon-chun. While they had brief control of the town, Matthew and John, the two sons of the local Christian pastor, had been separated from the other town’s people and executed. They died calling on their persecutors to have faith in Christ.
When the communists were driven out, Chaisun, a young man in the village was identified as the one who had shot the two boys. His execution would have gone ahead, had the executed boys’ father, Pastor Yangwon Sun, not requested the charges be dropped and Chaisun be released into his custody for adoption. His request was heeded and in time his adopted son came to personal faith in Christ.
Are you a disciple of Christ? If you are then you realise Paul’s words are not a suggestion; they’re a command.
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