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The Just Shall Live By Faith Paul’s Letter To The Church In Rome

Outline 4 APPLICATION Introduction 1:1-17 Indictment of & remedy for sin 1:18 – 5:21 Anticipated questions re: justification by grace through faith 6:1 – 11:36 Living a life justified by grace through faith 12:1 – 15:13 4 APPLICATION

The majority of the world obviously has a “revenge mentality” Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The majority of the world obviously has a “revenge mentality” Justified saints have to rise above such ungodly conduct…they look to their Savior as an example 1 Pet 2:20b-22

Application #3 Prohibition #1 v. 17a Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #1 v. 17a We are not permitted to repay evil with evil The passage admits/implies 2 things… Evil exists God’s people are the target of those who live under Satan’s sway 1 Jn 5:19

Application #3 Prohibition #1 v. 17a Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #1 v. 17a We are not permitted to repay evil with evil The passage admits/implies 2 things… N.T. teaching Mt 5:10-12, 43-48 2 Tim 3:12 1 Pet 2:11-12, 18-23 1 Pet 4:3-4, 12-19 1 Jn 3:10-13

Application #3 The focus vv. 17b-18 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The focus vv. 17b-18 It is not to be on people Not him who wrongs or is wronged If the focus is there, revenge will occur There must be “respect for what is right in the sight of all men” v. 17b

Application #3 The focus vv. 17b-18 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The focus vv. 17b-18 I can’t control all factors in a situation To whatever extent I can control things, I must strive for peace v. 18 However, not at the expense of truth Acts 4:1-3, 18 5:17-18, 28-29

Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 We cannot take our own revenge Instead, we must “…leave room for the wrath of God” Believers must let God take care of such wrongs when they occur

Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 It must be this way because it is written… “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” says the Lord. Deut 32:35 Psa 94:1

There are 4 ways to respond to someone who hurts you: If he hurts me, I will hurt him more. If he hurts me, I will hurt him the same. If he hurts me, I will ignore him. If he hurts me, I will serve him. VINDICTIVENESS RETALIATION DISDAIN THE WAY OF CHRIST

Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 God is the only One qualified to exact vengeance against wrongdoers Through His omniscience only God knows how & when to appropriately respond

God’s Vengeance Penalties for disobedience Lev 26:23-26 Punishment upon the Midianites Num 31:2-3 Anointing of Jehu re: house of Ahab 2 Kings 9:7 Judgments on Edom & Philistia Ezek 25:14,17 Jerusalem’s destruction Lk 21:22 Upon physical lawbreakers Rom 13:4 Final judgment on unbelievers 2 Thess 1:8 Final judgment on believers who willfully sin Heb 10:30 Final judgment on immoral wickedness Jude 7

Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 God’s “qualifications”… He is slow to anger & will not react hastily Nah 1:1-8

Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Prohibition #2 v. 19 Why man is not “qualified”… Vengeance belongs to God Rom 12:19b Man often acts hastily Deut 19:4-6 Man’s wrath is not righteous Jas 1:19-20

Practical concerns re: personal revenge… Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Practical concerns re: personal revenge… It prevents peace v. 18 It treads on God’s exclusive rights v. 19 It ignores the needs of others v. 20a

Benefiting the wrongdoer v. 20b Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Benefiting the wrongdoer v. 20b When we refuse to retaliate and even serve those who mistreat us, they are benefited “In so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head” A quotation from Prov 25:21-22

Benefiting the wrongdoer v. 20b Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 Benefiting the wrongdoer v. 20b These “metaphoric coals” (our service) may even melt his enmity toward us It may even bring him to God 1 Pet 2:11-12 A powerful change indeed!! Rom 1:16

Application #3 The solution v. 21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The solution v. 21 Evil done to us can “overcome” us if we give in to it by retaliating Gen 4:7 Instead, we must be principled…we must “overcome evil by good”

Application #3 The solution v. 21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The solution v. 21 There is no guarantee a response of good will toward those who mistreat us will convert them…Jesus was still crucified even though He did not retaliate 1 Pet 2:19-23 Heb 12:2-3

Application #3 The solution v. 21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Revenge 12:17-21 Refusing To Seek Our Own Application #3 The solution v. 21 Paul certainly practiced what he preached 2 Tim 4:14

Specific & practical ways in which the disciple can apply Rom 12:17-21 PERSONAL APPLICATION When I’m reproached for refusing to participate in sinful activities, I do not retaliate 1 Pet 4:3-4 When I’m slandered or others gossip about me, I do not retaliate 1 Pet 2:11-12

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