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. (Romans 12:17-18)

What The Christian Strives For

There is a lot of evil and hatred in the world. Living as a child of God can be challenging within a society bent on ungodliness. It has always been true that the righteous are the minority. The only time the godly people of Earth were the majority was Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall. Since sin entered the world, ungodliness has reigned supreme. From the days of Enoch, whom God took from earth without seeing death, and the turbulent years of Noah facing a world wholly filled with wickedness, God has always wanted His people to be separate from the world. Righteous men and women rose to honor God with their lives. Great names like Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, and a host of godly men and women lived faithful lives.

Jesus died to establish His church. Through His blood, He purchased the church, and by the working of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God grew from twelve men to millions. For more than two thousand years, the people of God have ruled the world in righteousness as a minority influence in a world filled with darkness. The character of the Christian is that he is not like those in the world. His life is set above and set apart to the glory of God. Everything about his life is worship to the Lord God. His example, faith, dedication, honesty, and integrity glorify the name of Jesus Christ in all they do. How the Christian presents his life is different from the world. Paul wanted the Roman Christians to show the world how different they were by the way they lived.

The apostle shows that Christians do not repay an evil deed with an evil deed. Worldly philosophy teaches an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If someone does evil to a man, he deserves the same returned upon him. This is not the character of the Christian. God forbids His children to exercise evil on others. God will take those matters into His hands if there is any consequence to evil. He forbids His children to be involved in repaying evil for evil. The Christian seeks for the good in all things in the sight of all men. Jesus said the peacemakers are called the sons of God because they act like their Father.

Living as a faithful Christian comes from the desire to live at peace with all men as much as possible. Every effort must be made to seek peace. Jesus did not revile those who treated Him so violently. He could have called down twelve legions of angels to render evil upon those who crucified Him, but He refused to cower to the whims of the evil one. The example of Jesus is how men should seek to live at peace with others. There can never be a spirit of returning evil upon others. Everything a Christian does seeks the good of others.

The character of the Christian can be hard to have in the workforce. In a dog-eat-dog world, repaying evil for evil and returning the favor to the aggressor is ungodly in the eyes of the eternal judge. A child of God sets themselves above the carnal fray of the world. In every situation, good is sought for and exploited for the glory of God. The world must see Christians as examples of Jesus Christ when dealing with those who oppose them. Enemies of the Christian have prayers lifted for them, good deeds done for them, and kind words spoken by those who love God. Be like Christ. Live in peace with all.