Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction-Romans 12:19-21

This section of the epistle to the Roman believers is all about the demonstration of genuine love as we live the Christian life.

We have to this point learned how love for God and for is exhibited as well as the impact that the display of genuine love will have upon the local church as we love one another.

Tonight we come to the idea of revenge and we learn that genuine love will prevent us avenging ourselves.

We can be sure that as we live for Christ we will be the target of persecution and injustice and yet we must resist the urge to revenge.

Tonight we will learn why this is so important and the impact our refusal to seek revenge will have.

The passage begins with a term of endearment as Paul refers to the believers in the church at Rome as “dearly beloved” affirming that this instruction flows from his love and concern for them.

Notice now the first step in the instruction.

Refuse to Take Revenge (Vs.

19)

This portion of the passage begins with the exhortation not to take matters into our own hands when we have been mistreated.

This once again goes against our natural tendency to repay wrong.

Yet this time we have a further explanation as to why we are not to avenge ourselves.

We are better served to let God take care of the wrongs that have been committed against us.

The statement here “give place unto wrath” here refers to the wrath of God and giving place to this means leaving vengeance to God as is reaffirmed in the statement that follows.

The idea here is that when we attempt to avenge ourselves, we have taken upon ourselves to do what should be reserved for God alone.

You might think of it in these terms as though God would say to us: “If you insist on handling it I will take my hands off but if you will let me handle it I will make certain that justice prevails.”

The statement that follows is a quote from Deuteronomy 32:35

God has here stated that vengeance is His meaning that it is His responsibility and not ours.

There are several reasons that this is so.

First that you and I do not have the wisdom nor knowledge to fully understand the factors involved in the offenses committed against us.

The second being that we have a tendency towards extremes when it comes to repaying those who have wronged us rather than doing justly.

God is far better equipped to deal with offenses than we are!

Let us determine to leave it with Him when we have been hurt or wronged rather than taking matters into our own hands.

However difficult it may be, it is right to leave it with God and trust that He will right the wrongs and repay the evil done against us.

Do Not Withhold Good (Vs.

20)

Often when we have been wronged we may by great effort be able to refuse to take revenge but now we are instructed to go a step further.

As followers of Christ we are not only to refuse to take revenge but we are also to do good to those who have hurt or mistreated us.

We may often say to ourselves when wronged: “I won’t take revenge, but I am certainly not going to go out of my way to be good to the one who has wronged me” and yet this is exactly what we are instructed to do.

Over and over we are challenged to do good to all men and to be ever looking out for opportunities to meet the needs of others (including those who have wronged or hurt us).

If someone who has hurt or wronged us has a need and we have the ability to meet that need we should not heistate to do it.

The scripture states that in doing this we heap coals of fire on his head.

This likely speaks of the conviction that will come when we refuse revenge and choose instead to do good to them who have wronged us.

This is the only means whereby their hardened heart may be softened to receive the truth.

The impact that a good deed done for someone who has wronged us can make is powerful.

The Way to Victory (Vs.

21)

We must not be overcome of evil but rather we overcome the evil with good.

Someone rightly stated that “an eye for an eye leaves the world blind” and this principle is absolutely true.

If we insist on taking revenge we give place to evil in our lives and we engage in the very behavior that we would condmen in others.

The evildoer will never be won by those who return evil to him, but there is a strong possibility that those who commit wrong may be won when they receive good in return.

We must not engage in a back and forth struggle with those who would treat us unjustly but rather we must choose to “take the high road” refusing vengeance and choosing to do good instead.

This is a demonstration of the love of Christ and it will have a powerful impact on not only the one who has wronged you but on those who have witnessed the wrong as they observe your response.

If we are to overcome the evil in the world it will not be by repaying evil for evil but by returning good for evil.

We will be more clearly distinguished from the unbelieving world by our behavior in such circumstances and certainly this will bring curiousity and questions from those who witness it and will produce conviction and possibly repentance in those who have wronged us.

Conclusion

It is our natural response when we have been wronged to return fire and yet we must not do what comes natural.

Through the power of the Spirit of God we will be enabled to refuse to take revenge.

We ought also to be seeking opportunities to meet the needs of those who have wronged or mistreated us as further demonstration of our love.

Again we know that this can only be done by the power of God’s Spirit working within us.

Finally we must recognize the bigger picture which is the demonstration that evil is overcome with good.

As we carry out these instructions, we will see God work and give victory over evil.

These behaviors not only demonstrate our love for the unbelieving world but also our trust in God as the ultimate arbiter of justice.