How to live life as a Christian, Repay no one evil for evil

If we look to scripture, specifically Romans 12, we can find help on how to live this life as a Christian. When we look to Romans 12:17 we read that we are supposed to look for the good. When we repay no one evil for evil and have regard for good things in the sight of all men, it helps us live this Christian life.

Just because you’re a Christian, it doesn’t mean you automatically have all the answers on how to live life. But we try our best by reading, praying, studying God’s word, and relying on the Holy Spirit. Even when we are doing all of that, we sometimes struggle to know what the right thing to do is.

*Every Monday I will post another important aspect from scripture, on how God wants us to live life like a Christian. I will do this until we have covered the whole chapter.*

SCRIPTURE:

Romans 12:17

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men

BEHAVIOR:

The next behavior is to seek good, and not to repay evil for evil. In other words, we are not suppose to seek revenge.  

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What does it mean to Repay no one evil for evil, and to have regard for good things in the sight of all men? To start with, to repay means to give back of what was done/or given to you. If someone did evil to you, like stealing money, you would repay them evil for evil if you stole money from them in return. God calls us to do and see good in all people. For example, instead of stealing money in return, you may try to figure out why they did it, if they need help, or simply do some good by praying for them and their situation. Just because they did an evil action doesn’t mean they are completely bad, or that you need to treat them in the same manner. Repay no one evil for evil, have regard for good things in the sight of ALL men.  

HOW DOES THIS HELP US?

How does this help us live this Christian life? First, it reminds us that we too have done evil things and that we are sinful too, this keeps us humble. Secondly, living out this behavior helps us to be a reflection of Christ. You see, when Christ seen how sinful we really were (are) He chose NOT to repay us with evil! He repaid us with GOOD by taking care our “fine” for the sin “evil” that we have done. He did this because He wanted us to be a part of God’s Kingdom, now and forever. Despite the evil we have done, and will do, He still wants good for us, not evil. To learn more about the Good Christ has done for us read our first blog post What is salvation? .

Repaying people good, instead of evil keeps us on the narrow path and away from evil temptations that leads us away from God.

COMING UP:  Live peaceably with all men.

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We hope you search our Free Bible Studies from Christian Fellowshipping for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

ROMANS 12

verses 1-2

​I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

verses 3-8

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

verses 9-16

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

verses 17-21

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.