"Recompense to no man evil for
evil, provide things honest..."
Romans 12:17
This divine injunction is no doubt overlooked too many times in our fast society. To recompense means, "to repay, to reward, or to make an equivalent return for service, loss, etc." (Webster). When applied to evil, it means to get back at someone for personal evil that we have received, in a manner equal to what has been done to us. Paul commands that we do not return evil for personal evil. If we return evil for evil, we will do five things:
1)
Disobey the word of God - sin.
2) Put ourselves on the same level with the one who trespassed
against us.
3) Become unlike our Lord whom we serve.
4) Invite more evil to be done in retaliation.
5) Cease to live in honesty.
Further, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). Though there are some who will refuse to allow peace to reign between us, we are to give our best to secure peace and harmony. This is especially important among brethren when closeness may breed contempt. The Lord's principles will bring peace and unity when they are practiced by all. When sinful disruption comes, one or more individual have missed the mark of Truth and sinned.
Though we are to live peaceably as much as is possible with all men, we are never to compromise the Truth or sell it out because of our connections to men, schools or societies. We are not to desire to be enemies with any man. But if one is an enemy of the Lord and His principles, we must be ready to "fight the good fight of faith." using the "sword of the Spirit" with skill. This does not mean that our criticism (reasoned judgment, John 7:24) is to be a personal vindictive attack, but it does mean that those doctrines which fight against the Lord's body and people, even by "false brethren" are to be met head-on! (Galatians 2:4, 5).
Many seem to think "meekness is weakness" and want us to remain silent and passive when false doctrines and actions of men, with personal gains in their eye, appear. This cannot be done by good men while at the same time working out our salvation, "with fear and trembling" before our Judge (Phil. 2:12-16). To preach the Word, we are commanded to "reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2).
"Consistency, thou are a jewel!!!" Some will judge that defending the truth is wrongful judgment; some will criticize others for being critical of the wrong doctrines and practices of men in high places who seek to lead our people into liberalism; And some who teach "grace alone" quote the law of Christ to show that we are not under law but grace! The unequal ways of these who pretend to follow godliness, but deny the power thereof, are glaring and must be rebuked. They must know that they will not pass undetected by their brethren and certainly not by God (Galatians 6:7). But it is not to be a personal attack, except as they are pointed out in connection with their false doctrine.
In all things let us remember, "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest..."
From Our Archives, 1995
By Gary Colley