Go ahead and turn to Romans 12,
if you would. The book of Romans, Romans 12,
beginning at verse 14. And we're going to go through
this in a verse-by-verse study, as I said, as we pick back up
on the study in the book of Romans. The title of the message this
morning is taken from verse 19 of Romans 12, where it says,
For it is written, Vengeance is mine. As I've stated earlier,
the doctrines concerning predestination, justification, and so forth,
all the doctrines of grace already being established by Paul in
his earlier writings to the church that we've gone through in our
study of the book of Romans, Paul, in his earlier writings
to the church, the apostle continues with the duties of religion,
which is built upon those doctrines. The apostle, in the first couple
of verses in chapter 12, exhorts all the members of the church
to the worship of God in opposition to the things of the world. Later
on in this chapter, he also exhorts mainly the officers of the church
and all their responsibilities and all their duties. He now
exhorts the entire church body, both officers and members, in
their performance of various duties respecting God, themselves,
one another, and even unbelievers, or individuals outside of the
church body. He begins here in verse 14 in
Romans 12, where he says, bless them which persecute you, bless
and curse not. The exhortations Paul gives to
believers in these verses are most difficult. As they call
upon us to do what our Lord instructed in the Sermon on the Mount, in
Matthew 5, 43, beginning at verse 43 through 44, Christ says, you've
heard that it had been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor
and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your
enemies, Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute
you. Now, if we were honest, our first
reaction to those who curse us and persecute us is to seek some
kind of revenge, to harbor some kind of malice and resentment
against those individuals that hate us and persecute us. And
these are the works of the flesh, though, when we think like that,
that flesh that still remains in us and a part of us, even
after we're regenerated by the Holy Spirit. But at the same
time, the Spirit of God, He motivates us to follow Christ in these
matters and to have a desire to love our enemies in some part,
in some way. And you might say, Jim, this
is a hard thing. to do, love your enemy. In fact,
it's impossible. Well, yes, it's impossible for
even a child of God to do these things perfectly. We don't do
them perfectly. But can God require any less
than perfection when he says love your enemy and these other
things? He can't say, well, Jim, you just do the best you can,
and I'll accept it. You do the best you can. No,
our God is a holy God. He requires no less than perfection,
and He can't instruct us in any other way than perfection. Now, these commands only enforce
the gospel that we believe, though, which is that salvation is not
conditioned on us. It must be entirely based on
Christ and His righteousness alone, or else we'd surely perish. when it comes to these commands
because we can't live up to it. Now before God regenerated and
converted you and revealed himself to you, showing you that he is
a holy God and that he can require no less than perfection, you
might have thought back then that you could and did actually
perform up to these commands. I've heard individuals say that
they did love God. you know, and all these other
things perfectly, and they keep the law perfectly. I've heard
people say, well, y'all keep all the law except for that fourth
commandment, the Sabbath, thinking that just because they go to
church on a certain day that they keep it perfectly. But all
they're doing is they're just approaching that law and doing
the best they can and thinking God accepts it. But now, even
though we might have thought like that back then, now we're
convinced that even though we know that these commands that
are right and should be obeyed, but at the same time, we know
that we fall away short. Now, we obey God in these areas,
not perfectly, but we do obey, but we do it out of love and
out of gratitude. We don't do these things in order
to be saved, but because we are convinced by God, the Holy Spirit,
that God's already saved us by his grace. All of it based on
Christ, based on his righteousness alone, based on what he's done
in his person and his work. Now, it says to bless those which
persecute you. This means to speak well of them. This does not mean that we're
to speak peace to unbelievers who persecute the people of God,
but we are to pray that God will save them by his grace as he
has done for us even when we were enemies toward him. Remember,
God did not seek vengeance upon us personally for our sin and
rebellion, but he took vengeance out upon Christ in our place.
If God had taken vengeance upon us personally, we would all surely
perish eternally. We must remember that those who
persecute us do not know any better because they are deceived
by Satan and by their own hearts. Doesn't it say in Jeremiah 17,
9, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked? who can know it. So as believers,
we must say again, concerning those individuals, those unbelievers
that might persecute you, might hate you, that but for the grace
of God, that there go I concerning these things. Now, then it says in Romans 12,
14b, bless and curse not. That is to pray for them, pray
that God would show them their evil, give repentance to them,
and save them by his grace. This is the order Christ gave
to his disciples back in Matthew 5, 44, where Christ says, but
I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you and persecute you. We are to follow our Lord and
Savior who said of his enemies in Luke 23, 34, where it says, then Jesus said,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Stephen
prayed in Acts 760. It says, and he kneeled down
and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge. And when he had said this, he
fell asleep. We should pray for their salvation,
an unbeliever that we're dealing with, and not for their eternal
damnation. In Romans 12, 15, it says, rejoice
with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep. We
are to emphasize, empathize with brethren in the faith, empathize
with them in joy and in sorrow. When the Lord blesses our brethren,
we would good things spiritually and earthly. We're not to be
jealous and envious. of those individuals because
of what they've received. We're to rejoice with them as
if it were given to us. When a brother goes through times
of sorrow, we're not to be glad that it was him and not us. We're
to sorrow with him as if it had happened to us. We all know that
we would receive what we would receive if God were to give us
what we have earned and deserve, which would be death and damnation. But God in his rich mercy, and
he has saved us and blessed us eternally by his grace in Christ
Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We who are saved are all the
recipients of eternal goodness and riches of which we didn't
earn and do not deserve. Our only worthiness, right and
tithing to eternal glory, is the shed blood and the imputed
righteousness of Christ. Now that's grace. In our next verse, verse 16,
Romans 12, it says, 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,
When it says in the first part of verse 16, to be of the same
mind one toward another, this means to set our hearts, which
is our minds, our affections, and our will, upon loving and
helping each other, brethren in the faith, so that it guides
and motivates our attitudes, actions, and affections. Believers
are certainly of the same mind concerning Christ and the gospel,
which declares how God saves us. all based on his sovereign
grace, his blood, Christ's blood and his righteousness. We're
also of the same mind concerning the essentials of faith. Paul,
however, does not mean that we must see alike on every non-essential,
non-essential issue. He is not speaking so much of
uniformity of mind, but out of a harmony in our relationship,
one toward another. What we think of ourselves, we
should think also of our brethren in Christ, all equally interested
in the glory of God, all redeemed by the blood of Christ, all blessed
with the same spiritual blessings in Christ, and all called in
the same hope of our calling. Believers in Christ should strive
not to think of one another as being one richer or wiser, than
the other. We should not value ourselves
upon those things. We should always remember that
it's God that gives these gifts and graces to each and individual
as he sees fit. Therefore, don't be high minded
in these areas, the Apostle Paul says. Someone said believers
are to be like spokes in a wheel that converge at the hub. The
closer we are to Christ, the closer we come to each other. To be of the same mind is to
show equal regard for others, which leads to Paul's next three
exhortations as a natural outflow of this mindset of showing equal
regard for one another. First of all, Paul says in Romans
16, the last part, mind not high things. This is the same thing
that Paul has stated back in Romans 12, 3, when he says not
to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. Paul says, be not high-minded
or do not think too highly of yourself and despise others. Our lives as believers are to
be marked with humility, not pride, not self-promotion, not
seeking honor, for ourselves and not promoting our own agendas
in this matter. We should think about the church
body as a whole when we make decisions, no matter what it
is. Look at Philippians 2 verses,
beginning at verse 1 through 4. It says, if there be, therefore,
any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship
of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, Fulfill ye my joy,
that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord,
one mind. Let nothing be done through strife
or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem other
better than themselves. Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others. Let's not
set our minds on and be consumed with our own selves. but let's
also be concerned with the welfare of others. As believers, by God's
grace, we should continually fight that warfare against self,
which is the root of all sin. Then Paul says in the next part,
but condescend to men of low estate. As true believers, we
ought to see ourselves as unworthy sinners who have been so blessed
of God in Christ None of us deserve or have earned the great salvation
we have in Christ. This puts us all on the same
level as sinners, saved by grace, equally justified, equally blessed
by God's grace, no matter who we are, what we have. Therefore,
we ought not to be conceited, snobbish, or exclusive, as if
brothers and sisters who are not in our socioeconomic class
do not deserve our friendship and our fellowship and help.
By nature, we all have a tendency to be proud of our heritage,
culture, accomplishment, and so forth. In a way, some of this
is not all bad, especially when some of the attributes and qualities
of things that we're proud of are a good moral quality. But
as I have stated before, we should always remember who put you where
you are today. Did you have anything to do with
being where you're born? Who your parents were? Did you
have anything to do with being born in this country rather than
in some uncivilized country? The answer is no. God gives us everything that
we have or ever will have, and that according to His will and
His purpose. Paul tells us concerning not
being high-minded, he says to condescend to men of low estate,
men that might not have what we have, whether it be education,
wealth, and so forth. Now, Proverbs 28, 21 tells us
that to have respect for persons is not good. And then our next
part of verse 16 says, be not wise in your own conceits. We
should never imagine that we have all the wisdom and others
have none. We should always not keep any
wisdom. We should also not keep any wisdom
that we have to ourselves. Any wisdom that God has given
us, we should be ready to communicate to others. We should never be
in a habit of considering ourselves wise in our own estimation. We
should always let others make that determination. Some people
look down on others because they think that they have it all in
their lives. This would include a person who
thinks himself to be something when he is nothing. Look at Galatians
6.3. In Galatians 6.3 it says, For
if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing,
he deceiveth himself. All wisdom is in Christ who gives
wisdom to his people. And this wisdom should humble
us so that we cherish the fellowship of our brethren in Christ. And
then in verse 17 of Romans 12, it says, recompense to no man
evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of all men. We as believers are forbidden
to seek personal vengeance even when we're treated unjustly. Personal vengeance is contrary
to the grace of God shown toward us in Christ. Provide things
honest, it says here. We are to seek to do the right
thing, that which glorifies God in Christ in the sight of all
men. Even those who are evil and would
treat us with evil. We are not to do our work to
be seen of men, but we are to be careful that all our work
are done so to avoid anything that would bring shame or reproach
on the Church of God. Now, before we make a decision that
would affect another person, no matter who they might be,
We should always ask the question, how would I want this individual
to address me with this situation? How would I feel if I were done
like this or like that? I believe that we were to take
a little time to think on these things, think them through before
you react, before we react to things that we would most likely
always treat others like we would want to be treated. And I think
if you do that, you have that as a goal anyway, I think maybe we would treat everybody
a little better than we do a lot of times. Romans 18, 12, 18 says,
if it be possible, as much as life in you, live peaceably with
all men. This does not mean that we're
to speak peace at the expense of truth and honor. Look at what
our Lord says in Matthew 10, beginning at verse 32. He says
this, whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
which is in heaven. Then Christ says, think not that
I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send
peace, but a sword. For I come to set a man at variance
against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they
of his own household. He that loveth father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me." This is not telling
you to go out there and hate your mother and father and sister,
but he's speaking of concerning that gospel that we believe as
far as compromising it. And with your family or with
friends, we should be open and honest with
them concerning the gospel. Tell them the truth about the
gospel. Do it in such a way, though, as much as possible not
to offend them. But you can't compromise it.
You have to be honest with them when it comes to these things.
We know that when we do tell them the gospel, that hatred
will come in a lot of cases. except for maybe those that are
kind of unconcerned about things, and they're probably not even
hearing what you say. But most of the time, if they're
religious at all, especially, they're not going to think too
good of you when you tell them these truths. But as far as living peaceable with
all men, we know that it can't be concerning that. We wouldn't
compromise the gospel just to be at peace with an unbeliever. Where the gospel is rejected
or challenged, we cannot speak of keeping peace. In these cases,
it's not possible to speak peace, not even to our loved ones. As
I said, we should always remember if we love them, we'll tell them
the truth, even if it does bring about a hatred toward us and
a hatred toward that gospel. that we believe. However, when
and where it is possible, we should live peaceably. We're
to strive to do so, even with unbelievers, without compromising
the truth of God's honor. While attempting to live peaceably
with all men, if this cannot be accomplished, the blame should
lie wholly on the other side, because it becomes the saints
to live peaceably themselves, even if others will not deal
peaceably with you. In verse 19, it says, Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourself, but rather give place unto wrath,
for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith
the Lord. Paul addresses the brethren here
at the church at Rome, dearly beloved, and he's talking to
believers here. Like I said earlier, Paul had
already gone through, he's writing this letter to the church at
Rome, to believers. So always, we can't put that
aside when we think about these things concerning our walk as
believers in this earth. We have to always keep in mind
that we're already saved and justified before God based on
Christ and his righteousness alone. But he addresses these
individuals, dearly beloved, not only beloved of God, but
also of the Apostle Paul. He tells us that when it comes
to vengeance and wrath, God forbids his children to take what belongs
to him alone. We are to yield to wrath, and
we are to submit to God's judgments and ways in these matters of
vengeance and justice. God alone has the wisdom and
holiness to do what's right and just in these matters. We don't
have that wisdom in all these cases, as far as taking vengeance
out on someone. We're assured that God will repay
all that is wickedly done against us, and his vengeance will be
right, and it'll be just when he does it. In Romans 12, 20
and 21, it says, therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirsts, give him drink, and so doing thou shalt heap
coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good. Paul gives us the way in which
we're to deal with our enemies. We're to overcome evil with good,
it says. We're not to be controlled by
what our enemies do to us. we're to be controlled by the
Holy Spirit in doing what the Lord, our Savior, commands us
to do. For in doing so, thou shalt heap
coals of fire on his head. This is figurative language to
show something like the phrase that most everyone has heard
before, kill him with kindness, you might say. The idea is that
by doing him good, he will be convinced in his own conscience
and that he would cease to do evil to you. The old writer John
Gill says that by so doing, that is, if thine enemy hunger, feed
him, and if he thirst, give him drink. Gill says that his conscience
would be stung with a sense of former injuries done, and he
be filled with shame on account of them, and be brought to repentance
for them, and to love the person he had before hated, and be careful
of doing him any wrong for the future. Gill says that in these
cases, it may be that the Lord would use the light. of His grace
shown to us in these matters to melt their hearts, melt the
heart of these enemies, and bring them to faith in Christ and love
for His people. And if not, if not, however,
it will show that you are conquerors. You have more than conquerors.
As Romans 8, 37 says, we're conquerors through the grace and strength
of Him that's loved us. We're conquerors over Satan and
over the corruptions of our own hearts. and over the malice and
wickedness of our enemies, those who would wish us harm. Then
he says, be not overcome of evil. This is speaking of not being
overcome of evil by Satan, who is very busy to stir us up, stir
that corruption of sin that's in our nature, that ally that's
within us, that Satan has an ally within us, and it's that
sin nature that we have. which would cause us to hate
our enemies and to seek revenge. Therefore, we should strive to
resist him and the temptations of our own sin nature. James
4.7 says, to resist him and he will flee from you. Last part
of verse Romans 12.21 says, overcome evil with good. Paul exhorts
believers to overcome the evil man and the evil he's done to
you. He says we should do this by
doing him good, by feeding him when he's hungry, by giving him
drink when he's thirsty, by clothing him when he's naked. If we do
these things, these good things, rather than overcoming evil with
evil, it is most likely to win him over and instead of being
an enemy, hopefully, he'll become your friend. Here is a summary
of our whole duty in reference to all injury and harm done to
us. Every thought of wrath, resentment, bitterness, and vengeance, of
doing any harm to our worst enemies, forbidden. It is opposed to love. Every thought of kindness, of
forgiveness, patience, and love is to take its place in our hearts,
overcome evil with good. The question might arise, If
we know that we can't attain this goal in our life, why even
try to strive for it if we know we're sinners? And we can't do
it perfectly, we know we can't, so why strive for it? Why should
we put out so much effort in these areas? The answer is because
the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit. And His love begets love. His love to us from the depths
of sin and active idolatry and made us full partakers, joy and
heirs of the whole inheritance of grace based solely upon the
imputed righteousness of Christ. His love saved us and keeps us
and will bring us to final glory, even to our personal character,
though our personal character and conduct falls way short of
what it should be. And so we do expect that inheritance
of grace. We rejoice in Christ, and that
joy comes from the confidence of receiving the full inheritance
of eternal life and final glory. But we expect all this not based
on our obedience, no confidence in the flesh, we have no confidence
in the flesh, but based on the merits of Christ, obedience unto
death. All this works together to cause us to desire to please
God. We know that it is pleasing to
God that we strive to bring our character and conduct in conformity
to Christ. And we do these things not to
merit salvation, but we do these things out of love and gratitude
toward God who saved us by his grace. And all of it based entirely
on Christ. and His righteousness alone,
that God's gracefully charged to your account. Amen.