Post by Admin on Apr 20, 2017 6:45:24 GMT
Much of tonight’s conversation revolved around “evil,” that is the evil spirits and evil deeds that we have seen around us over the course of our lives. Paul has made clear in Romans that God hates evil and cannot abide sin, and in the passage discussed tonight he urges Christians to hate evil. We talked about people we had seen as enemies, and most often we felt that way – not that we wanted to be an enemy, or have enemies, rather that many of us have encountered people who made themselves our enemy and tried to hurt us. If we are to hate evil, and some people seem to be consumed with evil intent, are we to hate those people? There is the challenge – to hate the evil, and somehow see underneath or outside that evil behavior a person to love.
Another theme tonight that recurred is that the standard Paul describes is not easy. We cannot condone evil, yet we must love the people who do evil. Of course, that is exactly what Jesus did on the cross: his death was justice, paying for the sin of man, and love, sacrificing to bring man to God. Verse 17 (Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.) was particularly called out as an example of the higher level of behavior God calls us to; it’s not enough merely to not get even when we are wounded – we are called to always do the right thing, to treat the offending person well. We heard two stories in which a vicious person came to feel remorse in response to “right” and loving treatment. That jived with the Proverbs advice quoted in Verse 20, about feeding and giving drink to enemies, and thereby heaping coals on their heads (which would be ancient slang for causing shame that brings a change of heart).
The final verses in tonight’s scripture passage have generated much controversy over the centuries because they have been interpreted to suggest that Christians must obey the orders of government – seemingly without regard for the times that government leaders have committed evil. Instead of going into that debate, we looked at it in terms of Paul’s inclusion here after urging Christians away from taking revenge into their own hands. From that perspective, he seems only to be saying that God has instituted the laws and structure of government to prevent chaos and provide protection from crime. Plus, the 10th article of faith helps explain it: I believe that I am obliged to obey the worldly authorities provided no godly laws are thereby transgressed.
Another theme tonight that recurred is that the standard Paul describes is not easy. We cannot condone evil, yet we must love the people who do evil. Of course, that is exactly what Jesus did on the cross: his death was justice, paying for the sin of man, and love, sacrificing to bring man to God. Verse 17 (Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.) was particularly called out as an example of the higher level of behavior God calls us to; it’s not enough merely to not get even when we are wounded – we are called to always do the right thing, to treat the offending person well. We heard two stories in which a vicious person came to feel remorse in response to “right” and loving treatment. That jived with the Proverbs advice quoted in Verse 20, about feeding and giving drink to enemies, and thereby heaping coals on their heads (which would be ancient slang for causing shame that brings a change of heart).
The final verses in tonight’s scripture passage have generated much controversy over the centuries because they have been interpreted to suggest that Christians must obey the orders of government – seemingly without regard for the times that government leaders have committed evil. Instead of going into that debate, we looked at it in terms of Paul’s inclusion here after urging Christians away from taking revenge into their own hands. From that perspective, he seems only to be saying that God has instituted the laws and structure of government to prevent chaos and provide protection from crime. Plus, the 10th article of faith helps explain it: I believe that I am obliged to obey the worldly authorities provided no godly laws are thereby transgressed.