"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Recently, our church "started over." We studied a new series in August called "IT," aka Jesus. We looked at what really matters.... Jesus.... and we threw away anything in our lives, our church, whatever, that was hindering us from IT.... from really, truly pursuing IT.
Really good stuff.
One thing about IT, though.
IT is radically different than this world we live in. Radically.
Look at the verse above. Think about how different Jesus' words are from what the world says.
Case in point: You have a difference of opinion with someone. The world says, "Stand up for yourself. You have a right to speak your mind and not care what anyone else thinks." Jesus says, "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
WHAT?!? So I'm just supposed to let everyone walk all over me and keep all of my suggestions to myself?
No. I don't think that's what IT means.
The longer I ponder IT, the more I read IT, the more I fall in love with IT ... the more I'm seeing that IT is about unity. IT is about the BIG PICTURE. IT is about LOVE.
In other words, pick your battles.
Sure, stand up for IT's truth. Stand up for IT's redeeming work. Stand up for IT's Kingdom.
But, if in our speech, our hearts, our minds, our relationships, if LOVE is trampled because of our own selfish desires, then we've missed IT.
Do not be overcome by evil. Overcome evil with good.
When jealousy creeps it.... replace it with love.
Judgmentalism shows its ugly head.... stomp it out with love.
Worry starts to choke out your joy? Denounce it with God's love for you.
Greed? Lust? Pride? Selfishness? Overcome evil with good.
IT IS LOVE.
3 comments:
Great thoughts Stef. Thanks!
Thanks for being willing to let "IT" control your life. I'm working on that myself!
stef, you're such a great writer--do you know that? i love reading your stuff--esp. when you're communicating IT's Truth!! thanks, friend... love ya!
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