Epistles of Paul 84

In Romans, Paul explained God's plan of salvation as we've been discussing. We all sinned us. And because of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, his offering, his sacrifice was a sweet-smelling offering to God. And we are justified, provided we completely believe what God says. That is, we commit to do the Father's will as Abraham did. Then God's righteousness is imputed on us. We are reconciled. We're justified. And that is symbolized by the act of baptism. And we now have to walk in newness of life.

God then gives us his power, his spirit, his mind for us to use and to help us overcome. And additionally, with Christ in heaven as our intercessor, he intervenes for us. This is a wonderful plan that God has for us, a plan of salvation, which in due time will be offered to all mankind. Then in chapter 12, verse 1, Paul then says, with this great help, Paul pleads. He says, I beseech you. Paul is pleading with us for us to make a living sacrifice using God's early spirit to be overcome, to be better people, to walk in a newness of life.

And as Paul says in verse 1, he says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body as a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. In other words, for us to walk in a new life, in newness of life, this is quite reasonable. This is what God expects from us.

It's our reasonable service. And that is that we are not going to be conformed to this world. And that's why it says, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed. Let us be changed. Our minds must be changed from a carnal mind to a divine mind, a mind like God's. In other words, our minds must be transformed, must be renewed. And that's what he said, be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove. In other words, that we may live, that we may do, that we may act, that we may prove by living and doing the Father's will.

That's what he says, prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God, that we do the Father's will. And then in the next verses, and that's what we're covering today, because up to now we covered last week. In the next verses, Paul now provides and gives us extremely important Christian living principles. And these principles are not easy. We need God's Holy Spirit to put them to practice in our life.

In other words, this is like a how to do checklist to do the acceptable and perfect will of God the Father. That's what he says at the end of verse two, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. That's what we got to do. And so that is in a sense like a to-do list for us to be transformed to become perfect, like God is perfect.

And so in verse three he says, for I say, in other words, it's like he's charging us, he's instructing us, he's using his apostolic authority, which was given to him by the Father.

It's his entrusted responsibility by God through Christ to give these loving instructions to us, the Church and the Christ. So for I say, through the grace given to me, through the apostleship, the position that has been given to him. So he says to everyone who is among you, in other words, to all the Christians, to all the fellow brethren, he says, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.

Now how do we think of ourselves highly? Well, we are not to do that, but that is basically getting down to the very first point, which is not to be proud, not to be arrogant. You think about the first beatitude, that he's poor in spirit, be humble. And we know that was also Satan's problem. He was not humble. But also he says, yeah, not to think of yourselves more highly than you ought to think, but to think soberly. To think soberly. Why? Well, to think soberly. Soberly is to think with a sound mind.

In 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 7 says that God is not a God of fear, but is of God of love, of power, and of a sound mind. And that's what we need to use from God. In other words, his spirit. We need to use God's spirit to help us, to change us, because we are sinners. We don't deserve anything, but God has given us life. God has given us life. So let us not think of ourselves higher than what we ought to think, but think soberly. You know, it was used God's early spirit, God's spirit of a sound mind. And then he says, as God has dealt to each one, a measure of faith.

Now, each one of us has received a different measure, a different talent, a different degree of knowledge. We all have different experiences. We all have different physical and spiritual skills and capabilities given to us by God's early spirit. We have different gifts of God's early spirit. We have different functions, therefore, because of our different skills to serve in the body of Christ, which is the church of God.

So, we have different functions. That's why it says, verse 4, for as we have many members in one body, you think about it. The human body has many members, many members. But all members do not do the same function, do not have the same function. Indeed, what do we have in the human body? We have different organs, the stomach, the lungs, the pancreas, the liver, the skin itself is an organ, the eyes, the ears, and the blood itself. They all perform a different function interacting with each other organ. And each of these different members or parts of the body perform a very important and necessary function for the health of the body.

And so, he says now in verse 5, so we, it means we as members of the body of Christ, we being many are one body in Christ. We are one church, one body, and individually members of one another. We, in the body of Christ, we have different functions. But we are one body.

In a sense, it's like the human body, different organs have different functions. But they all have to perform because if one of them for some reason is not working, then another one has to compensate, and then we have health issues. The body does not function properly, does not function as a healthy body. Likewise, we spiritual members are members of one body of Christ, which is the church of God. And we got to be together and work together as a team. Look for instance in Ephesians chapter 4, Ephesians chapter 4 verse 15 and 16.

And it says, I'm breaking into a sentence, but we are speaking the truth in love, that we need to grow. We may grow in all things and to him or into him, who is the head which is Christ. Christ is the head of the church. From whom? The whole body, that is the church, spiritual body, the spiritual organism, which is the body of Christ, which is a church. Joined and knit together by what every joint supplies. But we all, as different parts of the body, we provide to the body, each one of us provides an important individual function. And then it says, according to the effect of working by which every part does it share.

Just like in the physical body, every party does it share. Every member, every organ in the physical body has an important function for the health of the body. Likewise, we all in the church of God, we all have an important function. Or maybe you may think, well, I don't have any function. Well, you do. You do. God knows what he's doing and he sees your responsibility, your function in the body as an important one. And he says that every joint supplies according to the effect of working by which every part does it share.

And by doing that, we cause growth of the church, of the body, for the edifying of the church in love of itself, the body, the body of Christ, which is the church of God. You see, so it is this union, this unity, and that's what it says here, that the unity of the faith, it says in verse 13 of Ephesians 4, this unity that supplies value for all of us together to fulfill God's given purpose. If you just, me, if we just take a moment to think about United's vision statement, we have a mission. The mission is to preach the gospel, the gospel of the kingdom of God and the gospel of Christ.

We're going to preach that gospel. But the vision statement reads, a church led by God's Holy Spirit. Yes, we are a body that we need to be led by God's Holy Spirit. He says, join and knit together about what every member supplies with all doing their share and growing in love. And you can see this comes exactly out of Ephesians 4 verse 16. To fulfill God's great purpose for humanity, which is to bring many children to glory out of Hebrews 2 verse 10. You see, so we as a body, we need to be united to add value to one another and for the church to be able to grow.

That's what it says, which causes growth. You are at the end of verse 16, which causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself of this body, which is the church of God in outgoing, godly love.

So God has spread the workload amongst all of us. Each one has a little function. You have an important function. Each one of us has an important function of encouragement, of helping, of praying for one another. And therefore we together are a united team. We need to be united. And that's what Paul is describing here in Romans chapter 12 verse 3, 4 and 5, particularly in the Bible. And he says, because we being many are one body and individually members of one another, and we help one another to grow. And then he says, because we all are individual members, we all have different talents, different gifts, different abilities.

Some are physical talents and some are spiritual talents. And these spiritual talents or gifts or abilities, he now describes a few of them. There are others as well, but he describes a few of them. He did also, Paul also did describe a few of them in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 8 through 10.

And so yeah, in Romans 12 starting from verse 6, Paul also lists similar spiritual service functions, which are, let's call it, enabled by these talents or spiritual gifts that God gives us. And so in verse 6, he starts with the gift of prophecy. And so let's just read verse 6, having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. So each one of us is received according to God's plan and the way he sees it and how he's given us talents and abilities.

He decides to give one this gift, the other one another gift. And now he says, we all have different gifts. If we have a gift of prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. Now, the gift of prophecy, yes, it can mean prophesy in the future, but generally speaking in the New Testament, the gift of prophecy is related to inspired speaking and preaching.

And different people have different measures of that, different degrees of capability to speak in a way that is inspired. And some have certain talents in another area of speaking while others have different talents. Let me just show you how that is the case. And let's just look at First Corinthians chapter 14 verse 3. First Corinthians chapter 14 verse 3. And he says, but he will prophesize. Right, so let's talk about prophesy, speaks, edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

You see, so the act of prophesy is defining it here as the act of edifying, exhorting and comforting other people. You see, so the word prophesy, yes, it can mean, like I mentioned, for instance, a prophet telling us about things in the future, but typically in the New Testament, it's talking about the meaning of, it's like being a professor, prophesying, being a professor, teaching and encouraging, and edification and exhortation to the brethren.

Look at also at Acts 15 verse 32, Acts 15 verse 32. One, one, five, fifteen, verse 32. It says, now, Judah's ensilas themselves, being prophets, they were, let's call it prophets. It says, also exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. So you can see they were teachers in the church. In other words, they were exhorting, they were teaching, they were encouraging the brethren with many words. And so let's go back to Romans chapter 12 verse 6. And Yahya says, if prophesy, if one of our talents or spiritual gifts is the capability to exhort and preach and expound the scriptures, right, if that's our capability, let us do that.

Let us teach and preach and expound the scriptures to the proportion of our five. In other words, to the proportion of the gift of that talent or that ability that is being entrusted to us. And basically it means, to the proportion means, keep within your sphere, keep it within your capability. And that means don't kind of become proud about it, but rather you're doing it to edify the church. That's what you're doing. You're keeping it within your talent and your capability, not because it goes to your head that I know I've got all this knowledge and I'm teaching you, but we are encouraging and uplifting the brethren in a loving, caring approach to inspire, inspired speaking, preaching and expounding the scriptures.

But if the gift that we have is different, for instance, if the gift we have is one of serving, for instance, like the one of ministry, look at verse seven, or ministry, the word ministry in Greek is the Akoneia, Greek 1248. In other words, is for instance what we call a dikon or a dikoness.

If you have that gift of service and some have talents to serve, does not mean that you have to have a title, but it means you have a talent, you have a gift and you serve within your sphere, your ability. Some people in the church serve, for instance, in keeping our accounts straight in the church. Other people serve maybe in visiting the widows and the poor. Others may be served in other areas, maybe in setting up the hall. Others may be served in doing the PA. Others may be served in preparing the hall and opening it up before church or closing it and are serving the church.

That is a gift of ministry. Let us use it in our ministry. Let's use it to serve. And he would teach us in teaching. Now some have a skill of actually teaching. Now if you look at Ephesians chapter four verse eleven, Ephesians chapter four verse eleven, we are talking about also that he says, and he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Typically a pastor should also be a teacher. So he says a pastor and teacher is for those both roles, but according to your talents, according to ability, some people may be better teachers than others.

And so use that talent. Use that ability. So that's why he says at the end of verse seven, he would teach us, use that talent in teaching. Use that gift. Use that proportion that you've received of that talent. OK, some people should. We don't understand how they need each other. But to give them a word to roads. And some people have the capability of just being able to encourage others.

They just are encourages. I know some people go and they just say something, and it's just so encouraging. And if you have that talent, it says, of exhorting, do so in exhortation. You know, just keep doing it. With the right spirit, you've got that gift. Do it. Some have a talent or spiritual ability of giving. Now, it could be giving, could be, for instance, some are very successful and are able to give financially to others. And we've been blessed. We've had, for instance, the ones that stay in that are not able to go to the feast.

We ask for donations and brethren have come out and have helped others that were not able to go to the feast in such loving way because they're giving with liberality. But when we talk about spiritual gifts, it's also talking about acts of loving care, giving, giving outgoing concern and loving, giving in that way acts of charity, which are in a spiritual way as well.

He will lead with diligence. For instance, the office of a deacon, for instance, is one that is going to lead, that is going to rule, it's going to help other people and could be giving in serving with with some degree of simplicity, but it leads with diligence. In other words, they, different people, help the pastor or a minister in the local congregation. For instance, look at First Corinthians chapter 12 verse 28. First Corinthians chapter 12 verse 28. It says, and God has appointed these in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers.

After that miracles then give some healings, helps and illustrations and varieties of people speaking in different languages or capabilities of translating, but helps and administrations. That is a way of helping the government, the administration of the congregation, assisting the pastor with different responsibilities, helping the church to run smoothly. That is why it says, he will lead with diligence. He is dedicated, he is committed, and he just wants to serve. He is diligent about it. He is not negligent. And then he says, and he will show mercy with cheerfulness. When there is a need to serve and to give and to show mercy, don't have a hardened heart, but do it with cheerfulness.

In Second Corinthians chapter 9 verse 7, when he's talking about the time that they were to collect the gift to take to Jerusalem. Second Corinthians chapter 9 verse 7, he says, look, so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. So those that are showing, as it says here in Romans chapter 12 verse 8, showing mercy, mercy is an act of giving as well.

And so we need to show that mercy in a cheerful way, not grudgingly. And so we can see Paul is as taught in these few verses about a number of gifts, because he was saying in verse 4 and 5, we all have our own talents, our gifts, and we all add to one another. So he focused on certain spiritual gifts for the edifying of the congregation, of the church. And then he continues about some of the important principles we need to have as true Christians as doing the perfect will of God. And then he goes on in verse 9, let love be without hypocrisy, not wearing a mask of love, not being kind of syrupy and kind of gooey, but genuine from the heart, from inside, not just outward, but a sincere love.

Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 6. 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 6. Yeah, we read by purity, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love. You see, so Paul is talking about himself as workers of the ministry, and what he's doing is doing it by sincere love.

And so that's not a fine or faking it or just an outward appearance. It's genuine. They go out and serve the willows or serve whatever it is and do it in genuine care and love, in sincere, outgoing concern and love. So in other words, not being hypocrites, but let love be indeed and truth. Look at 1 John chapter 3 verse 18.

1 John chapter 3 verse 18. My little children, let us not laugh in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth. And so this love, this outgoing concern for others, it's not fake. It's not syrupy, but it's genuine, sincere love, not hypocritical. And then it says, Abor what is evil cling to what is good. Abor means to hate, the test, the test intensely. What is evil? In other words, the test or hate intensely sin. The test sin in aura.

And particularly in this sinful society, we got to detest, abor what is evil. And then it says cling to what is good. In other words, it's not just saying turn away from evil and draw to what is good. It's saying abor, completely hate what is evil and cling, which means be cemented, be glued, have an unalterable attachment to what is pleasing to God.

And then it goes on in verse 10. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love. Kindly affectionate, in other words, that's the love of brethren, which needs to be tender, a very indescribable affection, in a sense like a mother for a children and a tiny children. It's got a very special, tender, loving affection, that mother for the children, for the little ones.

It's something very special. And we need to have that for the brethren, to one another. And this is part of what we need to grow, to grow in the grace, which is in the application of this genuine Godly love. Which is the love that Christ has for us and the Father has for us, and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. That's where we're going to grow. And in other words, to become like Christ, to grow to the full stature of Jesus Christ. And then it says, and in honor, giving preference to one another.

This is a hard lesson. We need to learn. Speak honorable, honorably to each other. Avoid backbiting. Avoid innuendos. Many people have little statements that shouldn't say, oh well, you know, they criticize fellow Christians. I have seen it often. And we got to speak honorably to each other. And it starts in the family.

And we got to be careful how we speak. Are we, in other words, being kindly affection to one another with brotherly love and in honor giving preference to one another? Is that the words that come out of our mouth? Because if we are, to be honest, this is what divides people.

This is quite amazing. My daughter has gone to South Africa to visit some people, people that she's known. And she says, oh well, can this brother and the sister kind of be together and see me because they all, at least, saves me time, so I can see more people. And she was telling me, it was amazing how many families, those brothers and sisters now have grown up to adults, but how many of them will not be together?

They say, no, no. If my brother's going to be there, I'm not going to be there. Or if my sister's going to be there, she has to now, to visit them, she has to make two visits, not one. And she said, in a lot of families, practically in a lot of the families, she's in contact with friends of when she was a young adult or a late teen, a later teen. She finds that quite amazing. And so, yeah, in verse 10, he says, what do we need to be?

We need to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love in honor, giving preference to one another. Well, that's not what some of those people are doing. And that's sad. Now, in verse 11, he says, not lagging in diligence. In the King James version, he says, not slothful in business. Now, this word business means zeal, purpose, eagerness, fervent. So, not lagging in business, not lagging in diligence. That means we got to be diligent. Now, we can look at it one way.

For instance, being slothful in business. Now, for instance, we have the Sabbath. And yes, a lot of people say, I've got to keep the Sabbath. Good. But some people are neglectful to work during the week. And in a sense, that is as culpable as he that works on the Sabbath. Look at Exodus chapter 20, verse 9, because as we know, Exodus chapter 20 is the Ten Commandments. And within there we see the Sabbath law, starting from verse 8 to verse 11 of Exodus 20.

But look at verse 9, as part of the Sabbath law says, six days you shall labor and do all your work. Which implies we have to work. We are not to be slothful in that responsibility. But as we go back to verse 11 of Romans 12, Romans 12 verse 11, not lagging in diligence, it is more inclined towards our spiritual business. And so don't be slothful in performing your Christian duties. Now look at Jeremiah 48 verse 10. Jeremiah 48 verse 10. Jeremiah 48 verse 10.

Cursed is he who does the work of God deceitfully or negligently. The amplified version says, Cursed be he that does the work of the Lord negligently. And so spiritually speaking, we need to be diligent in our spiritual responsibilities. And it's a thing that we need to consider. And that's why in verse 11 it says, not lagging in diligence, particularly in God's work. Because according to Jeremiah 48 verse 10, as we read, Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully or negligently. It's cursed is he. We have a big responsibility to make sure that whatever we do for God's work, we are not doing it negligently or deceitfully. There was not doing up to what we appear or that we show or appear to others that we are doing. That's why in verse 9 said, whatever you do, love, out of kind concern, be without hypocrisy. We must not do it God's work negligently. We must not be sloth in business.

And then he continues fervent in spirit. Look at Acts 18 verse 25. Acts 18 verse 25. He says, but this man had been instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he is talking about a Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures. And he was fervent in spirit. He was really hot. He was zealous. And that's why he ties it in with not lagging in diligence, but being fervent in spirit, don't do God's work negligently. And that ties in with scriptures like Revelation 3 verse 16. And you know what that is about. Being lukewarm. Revelation 3 verse 16. It says, so then because you are lukewarm, you know what, you're not fervent in spirit and neither cold nor hot, I'll vomit you out of my mouth.

That ties in with what we read in Jeremiah 14 verse 10. Curse it be he that does the work of the Lord negligently. And then he says, I'll vomit you out of my mouth. Now you, I'm sure you all have experienced some one day or another, some feeling of nosy and vomit. And you know how terrible taste that is. That is an absolute terrible taste. And I say you've been vomit out of God's mouth. That means if we are not fervent in spirit, we are not hot. We have such a terrible taste in God's mouth. And in a sense, you could tie that to people that have lost their first love in Revelation 2 verse 4 says, nevertheless I have this against you that you've left your first love. You left that zeal. And now continue in Romans 12 verse 11. Serving the Lord. We are accountable to serve God. So we need to please him with simplicity and genuine intent. Verse 12, rejoicing in hope. Brethren, we have hope. We have the hope of the glory of God in us, which will shortly, and I mean shortly, time is short, will be revealed. Look at Hebrews chapter 3 verse 6. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 6. But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope, firm to the end. We got to hold this hope firm to the end. And so that's why it says rejoicing in hope is not only holding it firm, but rejoicing in the hope that God is going to give us to have the glory of God. And then it says, patient in tribulation. Patient is the word kupamone, which is stick to it patiently. As you say in South Africa, phosphate just bite hard and stay to it. Kupamone, hold on, patient in tribulation, in trials. Why? Because if we suffer with him, we'll be glorified together with him. As we read in Romans 8 verse 17 and 18. It says, and if children and heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, then we may be glorified together. You see, we're rejoicing this hope because we suffer with him. In verse 18, for I consider that the sufferings, the tribulations, the difficulties of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory.

Which shall be revealed in us, the glory of God. And so we got to end you to the end. Matthew chapter 10 verse 22. Matthew chapter 10 verse 22. As you can see brethren, all is here in the section, just putting so many Christian living principles one after another of ours are to live in a way that is pleasing to God. So Matthew chapter 10 verse 22. It says, and you will be hated by all for my namesake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. We got to endure till the end. And we know in first Corinthians 13 verse 7 says, love endures all things. So we've got to endure till the end. Continue now in Romans 12, 12. It says, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Reverend prayer. It's everything hinges around you and I being close to God through prayer, Bible study and meditation and occasional fasting. But through prayer, continued prayer, praying without seizing and without being close to God, without prayer, we cannot abode evil, we cannot cling to good, we cannot love the brethren, we cannot be kindly affection to one another, etc. We've got to be close to God. We've got to be, as he says, yeah, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Verse 13, distributing to the needs of the saints. In other words, that's good works. You know, for instance, in the church we have the function of the leg of good works. And good works is done, has helped a lot of people in many ways. And we have to do that individually as well. Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. In other words, kindness to strangers. In hospitality, look at Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2. Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2.

It says, do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some unwittingly entertained angels. New people come to church. Are we showing hospitality to them and taking our time and making them feel welcome? That is very important. First Peter chapter 4 verse 9. First Peter chapter 4 verse 9. It says, be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Without grumbling. Then verse 14 of Romans 12. It says, bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.

Pray for them. Don't curse for them. Pray for them. That God would show them the evil ways, that God would grant them repentance, and that then God would forgive their sins upon their repentance. That's why it says in Matthew 5 verse 44 in the 7 of the Mount, love your enemies. We pray for them, not curse. Pray or bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Verse 15, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Do we rejoice when people rejoice, when people are healed and people are getting better?

Do we rejoice? Do we take a genuine interest in people? We pray for them. We pray for their well-being. We rejoice in their prosperity. Or we weep in their situation when there is a time to be sympathetic and weep when they are sad. Look at Jesus himself. We know the shortest verse in the Bible.

John 11.35 when Lazarus had died and Mary and others were so distraught. And Christ says, Jesus wept in John 11.35. God has emotions, has feelings, and he wants us also to demonstrate the same emotions and feelings. And then look at verse 16. Be of the same mind towards one another. It is as if Paul now is doing a full circle and getting back to an attitude of love and humility because humility is so important.

And so be of the same mind, of the same brotherly love, in the same state of harmony and prayer. Do not set your mind on high things. In other words, like we read in verse 3 of the same chapter, not to think himself highly or more highly than he ought to think, don't set your mind on high things. Don't be over-abicious above your stature. Do not go out and be kind and whatever to the rich or the powerful, but you pass by the poor and don't give attention to the poor.

Because you focus and give your attention to the greater ones. Or do not be kind of feel important about having titles or worldly distractions which disrupt harmony. And then he says here in verse 16, do not be wise in your own opinion. A big part in the King James Version says, sorry, I missed one, it says, but associate with the humble. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. That means do not condescend.

You know, it's condescend or go with men of low estate. Follow. In other words, be with those that are humble. Be led and go with them. Go and work and be and encourage those that are humble. And then he says, do not be wise in your own opinion.

In other words, don't be proud. Don't be puffed up. Oh, we know as the days of live and breathe come along. We often think about being puffed up. He says, yeah, do not be wise in your own opinion. Don't be puffed up in your own wisdom. You see, wisdom and discernment are not just yours. We also need instruction. We learn from one another.

Verse 17, repay no one evil for evil. In other words, don't kind of take notice of every little injury or hurt and want recompense. Now, that's not what God wants from us. Look at Romans 13 verse 4. Romans 13 verse 4, just a few verses down, talking about those people in government. He says, or in positions of authority in the government, in local governments and authorities that are appointed by God. And he says, for he is God's minister to you for good.

For if you do evil, be afraid. For he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God's minister and avenger to his good wrath on him who practices evil. So does in authority have the right, God given right, to execute that judgment? You see, but for us, yeah, in verse 17 says, repay no one evil for evil. In other words, private revenge is forbidden. And then he says, every God for good things in the sight of all men.

In other words, every God for everything, everything. In other words, be honest, provide for things in a honest way. Work hard, live honestly, pay for everything that you can, as you can.

If you can't, then don't go for it. You know, as live with in your means, but every God for good things in the sight of all men. Be honest before God. Look at Proverbs chapter three, verse three through four. Proverbs chapter three, verse three and four. Proverbs chapter three, verse three and four. Let not mercy and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and height esteem in the sight of God and men. And so that's what it says here in every God for all things in the sight of all men.

In other words, if we have mercy and truth, we will have favor in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men. We need to be honest before God, and we need to love mercy and truth, and that's why it says every God for good things, provide for things in an honest way. Verse 18, if it is possible, if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

If possible, live at peace with all men. Some might not be possible, but you do your part. Look at Colossians chapter three, Colossians chapter three, verse 15. It says, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also were called in one body, and be thankful. Allow the peace of God, that peace of mind that can only come from God, to be ruling in our hearts. And that's why it says, if it's possible, do everything as much as it depends on you to live peaceably with all men.

We understand that it says you might not be able to do with everyone, but you do your part. You do your part. And then it says verse 19, Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath. Very similar to verse 14, bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. So it says avenge not yourselves, but give place to wrath, for it is written, avenge his mind, our reply, says the Lord.

So avenge not. If you are avenging yourself, for instance, it actually makes your case weaker in court. But so that's one way of looking at it. But God is the judge. Deuteronomy 32 verse 35. Look at Deuteronomy 32 verse 35.

Deuteronomy 32 verse 35. Vangency's mind, and regal best. You see, so that's what it's extracted here, because vengeance is mine, I will repay. That comes from Deuteronomy 32 verse 35 as an example, says the Lord. So we got to leave the matter, the judgment to God. Give room to God's revenge and wrath. In verse 20, therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink, for in so doing you will heap calls of fire on his head. Look at Proverbs 25 verse 21. Proverbs 25 verse 21. Proverbs 25 verse 21. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Verse 22. For so you will heap calls of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. The Lord will reward you. So, look at also at Psalm 140. Psalm 140 verse 10. Psalm 140 verse 10. Psalm 140 verse 10. Let burning calls fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they may rise not up again. And look at Psalm 11 verse 6. Psalm 11 verse 6.

Psalm 11 verse 6. Upon the wicked he will rain calls, fire in Brimstone and a burning wind, shall be the portion of their cup. You see, so if people don't repent, that's what will happen. It will imply ultimately God's final judgment. But you know, God's basic intent, and Paul's basic intent in writing this in chapter 12 verse 20, is more of a spiritual way that he hopes that these people's conscience would be pricked, would burn, and that they would ultimately be brought to repentance, because ultimately we want a positive outcome.

And verse 21 proves that, because the Lord be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. You see, what we want is that those people would repent. We're going to resist evil. James 4 verse 7 says, resist evil, resist the devil, and he'll flee from you. Be humble and he'll flee from you. We're going to put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6 verse 11. So Satan can't touch us, and then we'll be conquerors. We're going to leave it in God's hands and trust, but the whole intent here is that hope, hopefully, that those people will repent and they'll turn around, because that's why it says we pray for them, that they would repent, they would come right. And so don't avenge it, but allow your actions to be something that will burn in their conscience, and it says, I better repent. That is the hopeful outcome. As we can see, Paul, in this section here in chapter 12, after he has explained God's plan of salvation and that we want people to repent, and ultimately, the whole of mankind will have salvation provided they repent and they don't reject God's way, he now, Paul, spends quite a bit of time showing to us God's perfect will, God's perfect desire, and how our minds need to be transformed, changed, so that we become like God. So we become perfect like God is perfect.