3rd Sunday after Epiphany, 23 Jan 1955
23 January 1955
Romans 12:16-21: “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. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing though shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
During the first four Sundays the Epistle is from the 12 th and 13 th Chapters of Romans. There are two parts of the Epistle: Chapters 1 – 11: Doctrinal; Chapters 12 -16: Practical Conduct. It is good to read and ponder over these words. For the first three Sundays we have Chapter 12. Today’s portion tells us what our relationship to our enemies should be.
The last verse sums up what our relationship should be to our enemies. Our task is to overcome evil with good.
David Livingstone visited a backward tribe in Africa, a tribe of people who had a bad name. A few years earlier they had killed by poison a white trader and two of his men, and had strangled a third. Livingstone was the first European who had visited them since the horrible deed, and he wanted to preach Christ to them. They were afraid of him, and many ran away. How could he win their confidence? He writes: “Nothing I could do in the way of appearing perfectly at ease, and squatting down beside them, could remove the almost ludicrous expression of fear; until they got a dish of porridge cooked, and when they saw me partake of this without distrust, the act seemed to excite their confidence; but lying down to sleep, in consequence of the fatigue of the long walk seemed to have the full effect I desired, and they soon came round in considerable numbers.
Instead of expressing the spirit of enmity towards those who had the spirit of hatred and fear, he revealed the spirit of the love of Christ, and thereby was able to win their confidence and their friendship, which enabled him to preach the Gospel of the grace of God.
The task of the Christian is to win over his enemy by showing kindness to him and so endeavour to overcome evil with good. ‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’