The Word for Today with Ray: November 2019

Saturday, November 30, 2019

What to Do with Evil Romans 12:21

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul tells the believers to, “be not overcome of evil” with others where we read:

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The verse begins, “Be not overcome of evil, ...” Paul began with the words, “be not overcome” which means “do not be conquered, carried of by and subdued” “of evil” or “by bad, wicked, wrong, base, injurious, pernicious and destructive modes of thinking, feeling and acting”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome not to be “conquered'' by “wicked and destructive” ways.

The verse goes on to say, “... but overcome evil with good.”. Paul added the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover” “overcome” or “conquer, subdue and have victory over” “evil” which refers to “ bad, wicked, wrong, base, injurious, pernicious and destructive modes of thinking, feeling and acting” “with good” or “by a good constitution or nature having useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy and distinguished ways”. Paul encouraged his believing readers to have “victory over” “wicked and destructive” ways by responding in a “pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy and distinguished” way.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we understand his instruction when“evil” or “wickedness” is encountered. After a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they engage “bad and wrong” in a way that is much different from the world. When “evil” comes, the Christian is to have “victory” over it by “doing good, being pleasant and having distinguished behavior” as a response. This is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit of God which comes into a person when they accept Jesus Christ, and God has a ready supply of power to enable those who desire to “overcome evil with good”.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Paul tell his believing readers about the source of “power” and what to do with it, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Feed Your Hungry Enemy Romans 12:20

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty of Romans, Paul tells the believers, “if your enemy hunger, feed him” with others where we read:

Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:

for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.

The verse begins, “Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:” Paul began with the words, “therefore” which means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “if your enemy” or “when the believers in Rome's hateful, odious and opposing person” “hunger” which means “suffer want and need, crave ardently and seek with eager desire”, “feed him” or “nourish and supply with bits of food in his mouth”; “if he thirst” which means “when the believer in Rome's hateful, odious and opposing person suffer, want, and eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported and strengthened”, “give him drink” or “grant, imbue and bestow upon that person water and refreshing irrigation”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome to “feed” and “give drink” to their “enemies” if they were “hungry or thirsty”.

The verse continues, “for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.”. Paul added the words, “for in so doing” which means “because when producing, constructing, forming and fashioning these practices” “you shall heap” or “the believers in Rome will load up, overwhelm and pile upon them” “coals” which refers to “live or burning coals” “of fire” or “pertaining to that which is burning and fiery” “on his head” which means “the crown of the body wherein the supreme, chief and prominent thoughts exist”. Paul shared how the burning within would occur in the “hungry and thirsty enemies” to whom they “feed” and “give drink”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we may be reminded of Jesus' words, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smites you on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that takes away your cloke forbid not to take your coat also.” (Luke 6:27-19) Paul continued this idea by challenging his believing readers to “feed and give drink” to “hungry and thirsty enemies”. This is possible when Jesus Christ is received by a person and the Holy Spirit of God enters them. Normally, revenge and vengeance are expected toward “enemies”, and lack of care and happiness is a normal response to “enemies” who are “hungry and thirsty”. Christians are to be different, and when their “enemies” have need and want, they are to supply them with that which they need. In doing so, Christians exemplify Jesus Christ who said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23.34)

Next time Paul instructs the believers in Rome what to do with, “evil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Vengeance Belongs to the Lord Romans 12:19

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome to, “provide things honest in the sight of all men” and “if it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”, and in chapter twelve and verse nineteen of Romans Paul tells the believers how the Lord says, “vengeance is mine, I will repay” where we read:

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.

The verse begins, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:” Paul began with the words, “dearly beloved” which means “esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love”, “avenge not” or “do not vindicate, protect, defend or punish a person for a thing” “yourselves” which refers to the believing people in Rome, “but” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “give place” which means “grant, supply, furnish and deliver over a place, condition, station, opportunity and occasion for acting” “unto wrath” or “towards anger, temper, movement of the soul, impulse, desire and indignation”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome not to “vindicate and defend” themselves, but “deliver over” “anger, temper and indignation”.

The verse goes on to say, “for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”. Paul added the words, “for it is written” which means “because it is delineated with letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”, “Vengeance” or “punishment and revenging” “is mine” which means “belongs to God”; “I will repay” or “God shall requite, recompense and render payment”, “says” which means “speaks, affirms, maintains, exhorts, advises, commands and directs” “the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul referred to Deuteronomy chapter thirty four and verses thirty-five and forty-three as he declared “God” to be the “avenger” of “wrath”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he recognized there would be times when the believers in Rome would encounter “opposition and wrath”, and his instruction was to “give over” their “vengeance” to God. Paul recalled the words from the “scripture” in Deuteronomy where God shared how He would “avenge” those who opposed Israel. People who have received Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” will certainly face “wrath”, and when this occurs, Paul's instruction is to allow the Lord to “repay” it when it comes.

Next time Paul instructs the believers in Rome, “if your enemy hunger, feed him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Friday, November 29, 2019

As Much as Possible Live Peaceably with All Romans 12:18

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome to, “be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits”, and he added, “recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” In chapter twelve and verse eighteen of Romans, Paul tells the believers to, “as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all” with others where we read:

If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.

The verse begins, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, ...” Paul began with the words, “if it be possible” which means “whether there is ability, power and strength”, “as much as lies” or “so far as it depends” “in you” which refers to the believing people in Rome. Paul presented his next instruction with the idea of having “ability and strength” to the point it “depended” upon his believing readers.

The verse continues, “... live peaceably with all men.”. Paul added the words, “live peaceably” which means “make and cultivate peace and keep harmony” “with all men” which refers to “along each, every, the whole and every person whether male or female”. Paul desired for there to be “peace” among all the believers.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see his passion for people in the church to live with one another in “peace”. Jesus Christ is known as “the Prince of Peace”, and those who follow Him should live in “harmony” with one another. There are times where disagreement is so passionate between people their ability to live at “peace” is scarce. Paul recognized this and made provision for people to lean upon their judgment as to how keep “harmony” with all people.

Next time Paul challenges the believers in Rome to, “avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Recompense to No Man Evil for Evil Romans 12:17

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome to, “be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits”, and in chapter twelve and verse seventeen of Romans, Paul tells the believers to, “recompense to no man evil for evil” with others where we read:

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

The verse begins, “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” Paul began with the words, “recompense” which means “deliver, give, pay off and discharge” “to no man” or “toward any human whether male or female” “evil” which means “bad nature, wrong, wickedness, injury or pernicious, destructive or baneful acts” “for evil” or “because of bad nature, wrong, wickedness, injury or pernicious, destructive or baneful acts”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome not to “repay” “wickedness” with “pernicious and destructive acts”.

The verse goes on to say, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”. Paul added the words, “provide” which means “think of beforehand and take thought to care for” “things honest” or “beautiful, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable things” “in the sight” which means “in the presence and sight” “of all men” or “pertaining to each, every, the whole and every human being whether male or female”. Paul challenged the believers in Rome to “take thought beforehand” toward others concerning “beautiful and precious” acts.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see two more instructions to the believers in Rome. There were not to “repay” “wicked ways” with “wicked ways”, and they were to be conscious of committing “precious and commendable” acts in the “presence” of other people. This was the nature of Jesus when He walked on the earth. He came to “save” people from their sins, and died on the cross to do so. Though He possessed all power, He never exercised it to destroy those who treated Him with “evil”. He also demonstrated “precious and useful” ways before people with whom He came into contact.

Next time Paul challenges the believers in Rome to, “as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.