0:00:01.220,0:00:03.718 If you open your Bibles with me 0:00:03.718,0:00:12.871 to Romans 12:17. 0:00:12.871,0:00:23.280 Romans 12:17 0:00:23.280,0:00:26.905 If you've ever responded in haste; 0:00:26.905,0:00:28.342 maybe said something 0:00:28.342,0:00:30.921 or sent an email or a text; 0:00:30.921,0:00:34.279 or perhaps posted [br]something on social media 0:00:34.279,0:00:36.732 that you later regretted, 0:00:36.732,0:00:42.321 this sermon has application. 0:00:42.321,0:00:45.077 These verses come in a section of Romans 0:00:45.077,0:00:48.119 that deals with Christian living 0:00:48.119,0:00:51.480 on how we are to react 0:00:51.480,0:00:53.329 towards people. 0:00:53.329,0:00:56.592 And here when people [br]treat us in a certain way, 0:00:56.592,0:01:00.529 how we are to react towards them. 0:01:00.529,0:01:04.219 So, do you remain seated? Stand? 0:01:04.219,0:01:09.809 Okay, I'll read Romans 12:17-18 0:01:09.809,0:01:15.994 and then we'll pray. 0:01:15.994,0:01:20.046 "Repay no one evil for evil, 0:01:20.046,0:01:23.277 but give thought to do what is honorable 0:01:23.277,0:01:25.388 in the sight of all. 0:01:25.388,0:01:29.421 If possible, so far as it depends on you, 0:01:29.421,0:01:32.114 live peaceably with all." 0:01:32.114,0:01:33.645 I'll read that again. 0:01:33.645,0:01:36.764 "Repay no one evil for evil, 0:01:36.764,0:01:40.194 but give thought to do what is honorable 0:01:40.194,0:01:42.136 in the sight of all. 0:01:42.136,0:01:46.638 If possible, so far as it depends on you, 0:01:46.638,0:01:49.078 live peaceably with all." 0:01:49.078,0:01:52.859 Let's pray. 0:01:52.859,0:01:54.607 Our Father, as we look together 0:01:54.607,0:01:57.588 at Your Word now, 0:01:57.588,0:01:59.357 we pray that You would teach us 0:01:59.357,0:02:02.042 by Your Spirit how to live lives holy, 0:02:02.042,0:02:04.033 lives set apart for You; 0:02:04.033,0:02:05.764 to live for Your glory, 0:02:05.764,0:02:07.680 for Your name's sake. 0:02:07.680,0:02:10.335 Help us, we ask, in Jesus' name, 0:02:10.335,0:02:14.580 Amen. 0:02:14.580,0:02:20.187 Okay, so if someone [br]mistreats you as a Christian, 0:02:20.187,0:02:22.837 or even goes out of their way 0:02:22.837,0:02:24.688 to harm you, 0:02:24.688,0:02:28.478 what is your reaction supposed to be? 0:02:28.478,0:02:31.125 How are we as Christians 0:02:31.125,0:02:33.371 called to react when someone 0:02:33.371,0:02:36.839 does something evil towards you? 0:02:36.839,0:02:39.705 And that is what these [br]verses deal with now. 0:02:39.705,0:02:43.613 The first principle the apostle lays out 0:02:43.613,0:02:47.203 in regards to this here [br]in v. 17 of our text, 0:02:47.203,0:02:51.635 is repay no one evil for evil. 0:02:51.635,0:02:53.701 In other words, don't just retaliate 0:02:53.701,0:02:58.086 and strike back in whatever way. 0:02:58.086,0:03:01.242 You see, the reason Paul, no doubt, 0:03:01.242,0:03:04.881 begins with this what [br]is a guiding principle, 0:03:04.881,0:03:07.724 is because the natural instinct 0:03:07.724,0:03:09.219 when someone treats you 0:03:09.219,0:03:11.921 in what you perceive to be an evil way; 0:03:11.921,0:03:15.686 the natural instinct is [br]to want to strike back 0:03:15.686,0:03:17.070 and get even. 0:03:17.070,0:03:20.572 How dare they treat me in such a way! 0:03:20.572,0:03:24.511 Now, I want to show you how this is linked 0:03:24.511,0:03:27.204 to the previous verse there. 0:03:27.204,0:03:30.143 At the end of the previous verse (v. 16), 0:03:30.143,0:03:34.215 we are told, "Never be [br]wise in your own sight." 0:03:34.215,0:03:38.701 Or never be wise in your [br]own estimation of yourself. 0:03:38.701,0:03:41.776 That is basically another way of saying, 0:03:41.776,0:03:44.296 "Do not think more highly of yourself 0:03:44.296,0:03:46.259 than you ought to." 0:03:46.259,0:03:48.403 Think about this. 0:03:48.403,0:03:51.015 When someone has an overinflated opinion 0:03:51.015,0:03:53.413 of themselves, 0:03:53.413,0:03:56.515 they are always going [br]to be easily offended 0:03:56.515,0:03:58.139 at the slightest thing 0:03:58.139,0:04:00.076 and ready to lash out. 0:04:00.076,0:04:03.680 The instinctive reaction [br]is always going to be, 0:04:03.680,0:04:06.356 "How dare they treat me that way!" 0:04:06.356,0:04:11.159 And instinctively lash out with vengeance. 0:04:11.159,0:04:15.064 James 3 from verse 13 puts it this way: 0:04:15.064,0:04:18.471 "Who is wise and understanding among you? 0:04:18.471,0:04:21.477 By his good conduct, [br]let him show his works 0:04:21.477,0:04:23.502 in meekness and wisdom. 0:04:23.502,0:04:25.333 But if you have bitter jealousy 0:04:25.333,0:04:28.915 and selfish ambition in your hearts, 0:04:28.915,0:04:32.809 do not boast and be false to the truth. 0:04:32.809,0:04:35.750 This is not the wisdom that [br]comes down from above, 0:04:35.750,0:04:38.831 but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 0:04:38.831,0:04:42.612 For where jealousy and [br]selfish ambition exist, 0:04:42.612,0:04:45.980 there will be disorder [br]and every vile practice. 0:04:45.980,0:04:48.415 But the wisdom from above is first pure, 0:04:48.415,0:04:51.764 then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, 0:04:51.764,0:04:53.828 full of mercy and good fruits, 0:04:53.828,0:04:56.851 impartial, and sincere. 0:04:56.851,0:04:58.462 And a harvest of righteousness 0:04:58.462,0:05:02.507 is sown in peace by those who make peace." 0:05:02.507,0:05:06.530 You see, in order to react right, 0:05:06.530,0:05:09.538 we've got to get our thinking right. 0:05:09.538,0:05:11.576 If our wisdom, if our thinking 0:05:11.576,0:05:14.248 is clouded by bitterness and jealousy 0:05:14.248,0:05:16.306 or selfish ambition - 0:05:16.306,0:05:18.052 there's nothing wrong, by the way, 0:05:18.052,0:05:20.630 with ambition in and of itself. 0:05:20.630,0:05:22.460 Someone can be ambitious 0:05:22.460,0:05:23.978 for the glory of God. 0:05:23.978,0:05:26.525 But selfish ambition is the problem. 0:05:26.525,0:05:31.098 But when you are ambitious 0:05:31.098,0:05:34.214 in whatever way for the glory of self, 0:05:34.214,0:05:35.816 well, when all these things 0:05:35.816,0:05:38.304 are clouding your mind, 0:05:38.304,0:05:41.076 you're not going to [br]react in the right way. 0:05:41.076,0:05:43.478 So, one of the guiding principles 0:05:43.478,0:05:47.892 that the apostle began [br]with, of course, in chapter 12 0:05:47.892,0:05:50.215 is do not be conformed to the mindset 0:05:50.215,0:05:52.330 of this fallen world. 0:05:52.330,0:05:54.824 So we really have it again here. 0:05:54.824,0:05:58.752 You see, if our thinking is wrong, 0:05:58.752,0:06:00.756 we're going to react wrong. 0:06:00.756,0:06:04.442 If one has an overinflated [br]opinion of oneself, 0:06:04.442,0:06:07.402 then that person is going [br]to be easily offended 0:06:07.402,0:06:10.939 and see everything as a personal attack. 0:06:10.939,0:06:12.387 And if someone treats you 0:06:12.387,0:06:14.668 in what you perceive to be an evil way, 0:06:14.668,0:06:17.257 your instinct is going to be instinctively 0:06:17.257,0:06:21.230 to lash out in whatever [br]way to get revenge. 0:06:21.230,0:06:27.460 Well, the Christian is [br]not to be in that way 0:06:27.460,0:06:29.917 Paul states there. 0:06:29.917,0:06:31.364 Think of this in another way. 0:06:31.364,0:06:35.100 Imagine if the Lord treated us that way. 0:06:35.100,0:06:37.342 Imagine if His response 0:06:37.342,0:06:40.340 after we treated Him evil [br]was just to lash out. 0:06:40.340,0:06:42.139 None of us would be here. 0:06:42.139,0:06:43.806 We'd all be in hell. 0:06:43.806,0:06:46.280 So, that's the negative part here. 0:06:46.280,0:06:47.710 What not to do. 0:06:47.710,0:06:50.332 But then, in the next part of the verse, 0:06:50.332,0:06:54.294 Paul tells us what to do instead. 0:06:54.294,0:06:56.351 He says, "But give thought 0:06:56.351,0:06:57.881 to what is honorable 0:06:57.881,0:07:01.203 in the sight of all men." 0:07:01.203,0:07:03.267 You see, this is what we are to do. 0:07:03.267,0:07:05.925 "Give thought to what is honorable 0:07:05.925,0:07:08.056 in the sight of all men." 0:07:08.056,0:07:11.771 The ESV translates this quite beatifully. 0:07:11.771,0:07:14.660 In case anyone is reading from 0:07:14.660,0:07:16.573 the old King James, 0:07:16.573,0:07:19.015 I must point out that that translation 0:07:19.015,0:07:20.935 renders this verse: 0:07:20.935,0:07:24.883 "Provide things honest [br]in the sight of all men." 0:07:24.883,0:07:28.869 Which is okay if you're [br]living in the 17th century, 0:07:28.869,0:07:30.222 and you're one of the people 0:07:30.222,0:07:32.061 that translation was intended for, 0:07:32.061,0:07:34.888 but it makes absolutely no sense 0:07:34.888,0:07:37.894 in the way we would use [br]the word "provide" today. 0:07:37.894,0:07:39.824 You see, back in the 17th century, 0:07:39.824,0:07:41.644 the word "provide" actually meant 0:07:41.644,0:07:44.406 to take thought beforehand. 0:07:44.406,0:07:46.398 To think ahead. 0:07:46.398,0:07:49.239 Hence, why the ESV translates this, 0:07:49.239,0:07:52.313 "But give thought to do..." 0:07:52.313,0:07:54.240 You see, the idea here 0:07:54.240,0:07:56.849 is when someone treats you 0:07:56.849,0:08:00.452 in what you perceive to [br]be in a bad or evil way, 0:08:00.452,0:08:03.819 don't respond by instantly lashing out 0:08:03.819,0:08:07.495 in revenge, but take thought. 0:08:07.495,0:08:10.847 Think it through is the idea. 0:08:10.847,0:08:13.113 And when it says in the next part 0:08:13.113,0:08:15.341 that you are to give thought to do 0:08:15.341,0:08:19.446 what is honorable in the sight of all, 0:08:19.446,0:08:23.885 again, the ESV really [br]gets the idea, I think. 0:08:23.885,0:08:26.614 The idea is to respond in a way 0:08:26.614,0:08:31.774 that is good that can be seen by all. 0:08:31.774,0:08:34.279 That others can see it is good. 0:08:34.279,0:08:40.016 It's the same words used [br]in 2 Corinthians 8:21. 0:08:40.016,0:08:44.430 Paul says, "For we aim (in our conduct) 0:08:44.430,0:08:45.826 at what is honorable, 0:08:45.826,0:08:47.504 not only in the Lord's sight, 0:08:47.504,0:08:51.028 but also in the sight of men." 0:08:51.028,0:08:54.334 That is, we aim to be blameless if we can; 0:08:54.334,0:08:57.142 to act in a just and right manner. 0:08:57.142,0:08:58.814 Not just before the Lord, 0:08:58.814,0:09:01.477 although that is the primary, 0:09:01.477,0:09:03.755 but hopefully we can also 0:09:03.755,0:09:05.768 react and conduct ourselves in a way 0:09:05.768,0:09:07.951 that is right in the sight of men. 0:09:07.951,0:09:10.372 Of course, our first duty is to the Lord. 0:09:10.372,0:09:13.239 And that must not be [br]compromised for the other. 0:09:13.239,0:09:17.256 But notice it says here 0:09:17.256,0:09:20.796 "in the sight of all men." 0:09:20.796,0:09:24.925 That is believers and unbelievers alike. 0:09:24.925,0:09:28.069 You see, in our actions, 0:09:28.069,0:09:30.410 in the way we respond, 0:09:30.410,0:09:34.300 we are to be concerned [br]about what others think. 0:09:34.300,0:09:37.202 In the sight of all men it says. 0:09:37.202,0:09:39.515 Do good in the sight of all men. 0:09:39.515,0:09:42.613 We are to be conscious in how we react 0:09:42.613,0:09:46.727 that the lost world is looking on at us. 0:09:46.727,0:09:50.120 You see, the teaching of this verse is 0:09:50.120,0:09:52.787 when someone does what you perceive to be 0:09:52.787,0:09:54.696 an evil towards you, 0:09:54.696,0:09:58.149 you are not to respond without [br]thinking it through properly, 0:09:58.149,0:10:00.440 by instantly lashing out. 0:10:00.440,0:10:03.364 But you are to take thought. 0:10:03.364,0:10:05.973 How is the lost world going to perceive 0:10:05.973,0:10:08.637 how I respond to this? 0:10:08.637,0:10:11.104 You ought to pause. Think. 0:10:11.104,0:10:14.396 If I respond in this or that certain way, 0:10:14.396,0:10:16.472 what will they think of Christ 0:10:16.472,0:10:20.294 and Christianity. 0:10:20.294,0:10:23.694 Remember this verse is in the context here 0:10:23.694,0:10:29.352 of thinking of the church as a body. 0:10:29.352,0:10:32.049 And so, we must ask [br]ourselves as Christians, 0:10:32.049,0:10:34.085 if I react in a certain way, 0:10:34.085,0:10:36.447 what will people think of the church 0:10:36.447,0:10:38.273 I am part of? 0:10:38.273,0:10:41.437 You see, it's the Lord's name 0:10:41.437,0:10:44.097 we are to be concerned with. 0:10:44.097,0:10:48.007 If I respond in this way or that way, 0:10:48.007,0:10:51.376 what effect is it going to have on others? 0:10:51.376,0:10:54.241 You see, this really is another section 0:10:54.241,0:10:57.109 about living the gospel. 0:10:57.109,0:11:00.075 The unbelievers - the [br]lost world around you 0:11:00.075,0:11:02.233 will judge the gospel and Christianity 0:11:02.233,0:11:04.295 by what they see in us. 0:11:04.295,0:11:06.913 So we must think it through. 0:11:06.913,0:11:09.479 How is my response going to affect 0:11:09.479,0:11:13.614 the perception of Christ and Christianity? 0:11:13.614,0:11:17.174 You see, you're a Christian now, 0:11:17.174,0:11:20.760 and so no man lives unto himself. 0:11:20.760,0:11:24.742 You've got to realize that what you do 0:11:24.742,0:11:27.923 doesn't just affect you alone. 0:11:27.923,0:11:30.150 No man lives unto himself. 0:11:30.150,0:11:32.153 But what you do and say 0:11:32.153,0:11:35.766 is going to affect what [br]others think of Christ 0:11:35.766,0:11:38.067 and Christianity. 0:11:38.067,0:11:40.899 In how you behave and your conduct, 0:11:40.899,0:11:44.847 in how you react to a [br]perceived evil against you. 0:11:44.847,0:11:49.149 And never think in terms of yourself only. 0:11:49.149,0:11:52.480 But you must think first 0:11:52.480,0:11:55.212 of what effect will my response 0:11:55.212,0:11:56.705 have on others. 0:11:56.705,0:11:59.696 You see, this is what must dictate 0:11:59.696,0:12:01.396 or govern our response. 0:12:01.396,0:12:02.518 Think it though. 0:12:02.518,0:12:09.583 What response would [br]give God the most glory? 0:12:09.583,0:12:12.357 Think about all the times, brethren, 0:12:12.357,0:12:14.225 you know, you've been hasty. 0:12:14.225,0:12:16.914 How many times have you and I 0:12:16.914,0:12:20.802 perceived an evil by someone against us? 0:12:20.802,0:12:22.628 And so you've said something 0:12:22.628,0:12:24.730 without properly thinking it through 0:12:24.730,0:12:26.832 and then regretted it. 0:12:26.832,0:12:29.659 How many times have people sent a text, 0:12:29.659,0:12:32.193 an email, or replied to a post 0:12:32.193,0:12:33.887 on social media? 0:12:33.887,0:12:36.018 Something on Facebook or whatever. 0:12:36.018,0:12:37.172 And later thought, 0:12:37.172,0:12:41.168 "If only I had just waited..." 0:12:41.168,0:12:44.180 We live in a minefield today 0:12:44.180,0:12:47.094 with all the technology. 0:12:47.094,0:12:49.215 You know, there have [br]been times in the past 0:12:49.215,0:12:52.936 when someone has sent me a rather angry 0:12:52.936,0:12:57.407 or provocative message on WhatsApp. 0:12:57.407,0:12:58.818 And of course, WhatsApp, 0:12:58.818,0:13:01.684 when you send someone a message, 0:13:01.684,0:13:05.614 it gives you the two blue tics to say 0:13:05.614,0:13:11.859 they've read the message. 0:13:11.859,0:13:14.258 But then, you find there are people 0:13:14.258,0:13:16.165 who want to bring back public hanging. 0:13:16.165,0:13:18.542 And of course, the death [br]penalty's still here, 0:13:18.542,0:13:20.257 but they want it to apply for that 0:13:20.257,0:13:24.973 because I've not responded in 30 seconds. 0:13:24.973,0:13:27.821 When in actual fact, what I'm doing 0:13:27.821,0:13:29.854 is I'm doing what this verse tells me. 0:13:29.854,0:13:33.179 I'm thinking about what is the best way 0:13:33.179,0:13:37.045 to respond to their anger. 0:13:37.045,0:13:39.647 Or, I might be doing something else 0:13:39.647,0:13:41.556 and it's come up, so I've got to give 0:13:41.556,0:13:43.138 my attention to that. 0:13:43.138,0:13:48.766 You know the world doesn't [br]revolve around people. 0:13:48.766,0:13:51.127 You see, I use that by way of example 0:13:51.127,0:13:53.125 because many times, 0:13:53.125,0:13:55.513 you will feel under pressure 0:13:55.513,0:13:57.780 to respond rashly. 0:13:57.780,0:13:59.866 But you don't want to do that. 0:13:59.866,0:14:01.492 Make sure you pause. 0:14:01.492,0:14:03.205 Think it through. 0:14:03.205,0:14:05.577 Time out. 0:14:05.577,0:14:08.763 You see, rather than very quickly respond 0:14:08.763,0:14:11.079 in a way without properly [br]thinking it through, 0:14:11.079,0:14:12.309 you must think, 0:14:12.309,0:14:15.001 what is likely to be the final effect 0:14:15.001,0:14:17.968 if I respond like this? 0:14:17.968,0:14:20.375 Is it better to sit on your fingers 0:14:20.375,0:14:22.156 and save the text or the email 0:14:22.156,0:14:25.186 or the call for another day? 0:14:25.186,0:14:27.306 In which time you might have 0:14:27.306,0:14:30.558 a completely different [br]perspective on things. 0:14:30.558,0:14:32.867 By then, you might see, 0:14:32.867,0:14:35.099 well, I've overreacted. 0:14:35.099,0:14:38.230 Or, more things have come to light. 0:14:38.230,0:14:40.291 Or, you might be thinking later, 0:14:40.291,0:14:43.666 what good is this going to do anyway? 0:14:43.666,0:14:46.197 I remember once, I had a school teacher. 0:14:46.197,0:14:47.045 He used to say, 0:14:47.045,0:14:49.560 "Engage brain before mouth." 0:14:49.560,0:14:50.859 And that's good advice. 0:14:50.859,0:14:53.908 Properly thinking it through. 0:14:53.908,0:14:56.393 You know, sometimes you meet people 0:14:56.393,0:15:00.417 that say, "I always speak my mind." 0:15:00.417,0:15:01.923 And they're proud of the fact 0:15:01.923,0:15:03.495 that they say the first thing 0:15:03.495,0:15:04.837 that comes into their head, 0:15:04.837,0:15:06.444 no matter how rude 0:15:06.444,0:15:08.552 without thinking it through. 0:15:08.552,0:15:11.047 Without thinking about what effect 0:15:11.047,0:15:12.856 it will have on others. 0:15:12.856,0:15:15.083 But according to this verse, 0:15:15.083,0:15:18.935 a Christian should never [br]have that attitude; 0:15:18.935,0:15:20.637 should never be one of those people 0:15:20.637,0:15:23.187 who says, "I just always speak my mind," 0:15:23.187,0:15:27.686 and say the first thing that comes out. 0:15:27.686,0:15:31.096 Never try and excuse things like that 0:15:31.096,0:15:34.356 by saying I'm of a certain nationality 0:15:34.356,0:15:36.992 or a certain family or whatever; 0:15:36.992,0:15:38.951 a certain background. 0:15:38.951,0:15:41.819 Never try to excuse sin 0:15:41.819,0:15:44.616 by some sort of cultural context. 0:15:44.616,0:15:47.116 When Paul said to the Cretans, 0:15:47.116,0:15:50.077 those of Crete are always liars, 0:15:50.077,0:15:52.850 he wasn't saying it's okay for you to lie 0:15:52.850,0:15:56.589 because you're from Crete. 0:15:56.589,0:16:00.190 Just like if someone is from - 0:16:00.190,0:16:02.044 this is the way it is where we live - 0:16:02.044,0:16:04.410 if someone is from Africa or Spain 0:16:04.410,0:16:06.293 or Latin America, it doesn't mean 0:16:06.293,0:16:08.619 it's okay for them to be late. 0:16:08.619,0:16:10.909 Or if someone comes from the Middle East, 0:16:10.909,0:16:13.887 it's not okay to have a bad temper. 0:16:13.887,0:16:16.551 Believe it or not, there [br]are professing Christians there 0:16:16.551,0:16:18.990 who just lash out in anger 0:16:18.990,0:16:21.282 and then they try and excuse it by saying, 0:16:21.282,0:16:23.068 "Oh, it's just a cultural thing." 0:16:23.068,0:16:28.369 You see, cultural sin is sin. 0:16:28.369,0:16:30.996 That is the way Paul is speaking 0:16:30.996,0:16:32.352 to those in Crete. 0:16:32.352,0:16:34.537 He says, "Or is the saying true?" 0:16:34.537,0:16:37.249 You're different. You're Christians now. 0:16:37.249,0:16:42.822 And so, you're not to be that stereotype. 0:16:42.822,0:16:44.807 A Christian should never be those people 0:16:44.807,0:16:47.741 who say, "I just speak [br]my mind all the time 0:16:47.741,0:16:49.767 without thinking it through." 0:16:49.767,0:16:53.599 And so, verse 18 continues with this. 0:16:53.599,0:16:59.031 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, 0:16:59.031,0:17:01.853 live peaceably with all." 0:17:01.853,0:17:04.992 Live at peace with all. 0:17:04.992,0:17:08.873 That is, believers and unbelievers alike. 0:17:08.873,0:17:12.373 As far as it depends on you. 0:17:12.373,0:17:15.262 Notice, as far is it depends on you, 0:17:15.262,0:17:18.403 you are to take the initiative. 0:17:18.403,0:17:20.872 The Christian is not to [br]be the troublemaker. 0:17:20.872,0:17:25.233 There's much in Proverbs about that. 0:17:25.233,0:17:27.973 The contentious, argumentative, 0:17:27.973,0:17:30.421 always picking a fight type of person 0:17:30.421,0:17:33.360 is not a characteristic of a Christian. 0:17:33.360,0:17:35.751 There's a lot of Christian [br]bloggers out there 0:17:35.751,0:17:38.243 and so-called discernment ministries 0:17:38.243,0:17:41.020 that act in a way where [br]they're always ready 0:17:41.020,0:17:45.204 figuratively to punch someone in the face. 0:17:45.204,0:17:48.402 But again, that's not [br]characteristically Christian. 0:17:48.402,0:17:52.191 But I want you to think about this. 0:17:52.191,0:17:56.435 In reacting in a way [br]that is not going to be 0:17:56.435,0:17:58.365 a bad witness, 0:17:58.365,0:18:00.567 and as far as it depends upon you, 0:18:00.567,0:18:03.990 thinking about it in terms of 0:18:03.990,0:18:07.834 you taking the initiative to be at peace. 0:18:07.834,0:18:09.527 First of all, remember, 0:18:09.527,0:18:12.422 you're not trying to win the argument, 0:18:12.422,0:18:13.657 but the person. 0:18:13.657,0:18:15.688 Well, you are trying to win the argument, 0:18:15.688,0:18:18.703 but it's the person first and foremost. 0:18:18.703,0:18:21.278 You see, if you just get someone's back up 0:18:21.278,0:18:24.233 unnecessarily, then you've lost them. 0:18:24.233,0:18:28.511 You may have won an argument, 0:18:28.511,0:18:30.342 but they may go home thinking 0:18:30.342,0:18:33.494 they won the argument too anyway. 0:18:33.494,0:18:37.257 But secondly, think of this in terms of 0:18:37.257,0:18:40.511 online disagreements with others. 0:18:40.511,0:18:46.021 Much of the world lives [br]in that sphere today. 0:18:46.021,0:18:48.560 I remember one time another Christian 0:18:48.560,0:18:50.222 was arguing with me over 0:18:50.222,0:18:53.926 some secondary issue that was evidently 0:18:53.926,0:18:56.594 a first issue to him. 0:18:56.594,0:19:00.932 But we eventually agreed to disagree. 0:19:00.932,0:19:03.100 Now, he was doing this via Facebook, 0:19:03.100,0:19:04.914 so at the end of it, I thanked him 0:19:04.914,0:19:07.952 for doing it on the private messenger. 0:19:07.952,0:19:10.150 So only I and he could see. 0:19:10.150,0:19:12.144 Because if it had been plastered all over 0:19:12.144,0:19:15.124 my Facebook wall in public - 0:19:15.124,0:19:16.376 in view of others - 0:19:16.376,0:19:19.783 then all the unbelievers, [br]the non-Christians looking on 0:19:19.783,0:19:22.738 would not have understood it. 0:19:22.738,0:19:25.403 It would have been a really bad witness. 0:19:25.403,0:19:27.740 So even though I disagreed with him, 0:19:27.740,0:19:30.076 and I thought his manner was a bit harsh, 0:19:30.076,0:19:34.254 I thanked him for [br]still doing it in private. 0:19:34.254,0:19:36.113 Whereas I remember another person 0:19:36.113,0:19:39.433 just plastering my Facebook wall, 0:19:39.433,0:19:41.470 and every time I would delete his dribble 0:19:41.470,0:19:43.659 because I'm thinking [br]this doesn't look good 0:19:43.659,0:19:46.395 in front of all the unbelievers [br]I'm trying to reach here. 0:19:46.395,0:19:47.879 He'd just post some more. 0:19:47.879,0:19:49.890 So, in the end, I had to defriend him 0:19:49.890,0:19:52.895 and take him off. 0:19:52.895,0:19:54.484 You see, he obviously thought 0:19:54.484,0:19:56.633 that all the world had to agree with him 0:19:56.633,0:19:59.815 over some secondary issue. 0:19:59.815,0:20:01.181 Because he wasn't thinking 0:20:01.181,0:20:03.415 how is this going to be perceived 0:20:03.415,0:20:04.371 by unbelievers? 0:20:04.371,0:20:07.406 What sort of testimony [br]is this going to give? 0:20:07.406,0:20:09.310 He wasn't thinking of the glory of God 0:20:09.310,0:20:11.169 and those people's souls. 0:20:11.169,0:20:12.715 All that was before him 0:20:12.715,0:20:16.607 was personal pride in winning an argument. 0:20:16.607,0:20:20.981 And he didn't want to be seen to lose. 0:20:20.981,0:20:24.765 Because he didn't want my friends 0:20:24.765,0:20:30.054 or my wife's friends who [br]he didn't even know - 0:20:30.054,0:20:34.036 it's ridiculous. 0:20:34.036,0:20:36.664 If you ever have a [br]disagreement with someone 0:20:36.664,0:20:37.940 in a church meeting, 0:20:37.940,0:20:40.423 perhaps over some [br]theological issue or whatever, 0:20:40.423,0:20:42.574 don't lash out. 0:20:42.574,0:20:43.615 Think it through. 0:20:43.615,0:20:46.442 What are onlookers going to think of this? 0:20:46.442,0:20:49.024 You know you've always got weaker 0:20:49.024,0:20:50.908 and newer, less mature Christians. 0:20:50.908,0:20:54.288 Some people who are 0:20:54.288,0:20:56.333 walking through the door the first time 0:20:56.333,0:20:58.238 and see some odd discussion 0:20:58.238,0:21:00.903 that could be a bad testimony. 0:21:00.903,0:21:04.260 It's very serious stuff. 0:21:04.260,0:21:06.618 Supposing you have a disagreement 0:21:06.618,0:21:08.557 with someone else, and so you have 0:21:08.557,0:21:10.411 this big squabble, whether it's online 0:21:10.411,0:21:11.821 or in a church setting, 0:21:11.821,0:21:13.720 or in a house setting or at work 0:21:13.720,0:21:16.891 or wherever, but it's in a public setting, 0:21:16.891,0:21:19.464 and people know you're a Christian. 0:21:19.464,0:21:20.806 And so the result of it, 0:21:20.806,0:21:23.350 people are turned off to the gospel 0:21:23.350,0:21:24.838 and Christianity. 0:21:24.838,0:21:27.104 And so part of the reason [br]they end up in hell 0:21:27.104,0:21:29.431 is because of your conduct. 0:21:29.431,0:21:31.519 Not to mention then going around 0:21:31.519,0:21:33.635 blaspheming the Lord's name. 0:21:33.635,0:21:37.447 Saying those Christians [br]are just like that. 0:21:37.447,0:21:40.450 You see, as Christians, we don't want 0:21:40.450,0:21:43.445 to bring shame upon the name of Christ. 0:21:43.445,0:21:46.331 That should be our concern. 0:21:46.331,0:21:49.504 But we've got to realize, 0:21:49.504,0:21:52.115 you cannot do things in isolation 0:21:52.115,0:21:53.422 as a Christian. 0:21:53.422,0:21:55.022 You are to, as our Lord said, 0:21:55.022,0:21:56.998 let your light so shine before men 0:21:56.998,0:21:59.247 that they may see your good works 0:21:59.247,0:22:02.017 and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 0:22:02.017,0:22:05.208 Think of this in every [br]aspect of your life. 0:22:05.208,0:22:07.201 That people are watching you. 0:22:07.201,0:22:09.394 People are looking on. 0:22:09.394,0:22:11.331 Now, of course, let me make clear here, 0:22:11.331,0:22:14.239 you may still do everything right, 0:22:14.239,0:22:17.919 and you're still going to [br]get some false accusations. 0:22:17.919,0:22:20.379 The Apostle Paul did. Our Lord Jesus did. 0:22:20.379,0:22:22.678 You think of Joseph in the Old Testament. 0:22:22.678,0:22:24.459 He was a classic example 0:22:24.459,0:22:26.856 of someone living out this verse. 0:22:26.856,0:22:28.685 And yet, he was still thrown in prison 0:22:28.685,0:22:34.853 for something he didn't do. 0:22:34.853,0:22:38.290 But he's also an example [br]of how to respond. 0:22:38.290,0:22:42.755 Now, the next thing I want [br]to point out here though 0:22:42.755,0:22:45.462 is Paul does not say 0:22:45.462,0:22:49.504 be at peace with people at any cost. 0:22:49.504,0:22:53.727 He doesn't say be at peace [br]with people at any cost, 0:22:53.727,0:22:58.079 but as far as it depends upon you. 0:22:58.079,0:22:59.941 Remember, the wisdom from above 0:22:59.941,0:23:03.246 is first pure, then peaceable. 0:23:03.246,0:23:06.072 It's pure, meaning truth first. 0:23:06.072,0:23:09.857 You see, you're not to [br]be the trouble maker. 0:23:09.857,0:23:13.612 You're not to be the one [br]who initiates the fight. 0:23:13.612,0:23:16.340 You are to try and be the [br]peacemaker if you like 0:23:16.340,0:23:18.379 in your actions, 0:23:18.379,0:23:19.860 but there are some people who 0:23:19.860,0:23:21.526 will go out of their way 0:23:21.526,0:23:23.905 to be difficult. 0:23:23.905,0:23:31.359 And there are some people [br]you cannot make peace with. 0:23:31.359,0:23:34.749 With those people you can sleep at night 0:23:34.749,0:23:38.738 knowing that as far as [br]it depended upon you, 0:23:38.738,0:23:41.403 they could have had peace. 0:23:41.403,0:23:45.464 But again, this peace is not at any cost. 0:23:45.464,0:23:47.313 We are told in Scripture for instance 0:23:47.313,0:23:48.725 that if anyone comes to you 0:23:48.725,0:23:50.033 preaching another gospel, 0:23:50.033,0:23:53.467 let him be accursed. 0:23:53.467,0:23:55.147 It doesn't say just agree with them 0:23:55.147,0:23:57.020 for the sake of peace. 0:23:57.020,0:23:59.387 In 2 John, we're told if anyone comes 0:23:59.387,0:24:03.217 bringing another doctrine [br]of the person of Jesus, 0:24:03.217,0:24:05.656 saying something like He's not fully God 0:24:05.656,0:24:07.612 or He's not fully man, 0:24:07.612,0:24:09.694 then don't even give him a greeting. 0:24:09.694,0:24:11.533 He's not talking about your neighbor 0:24:11.533,0:24:13.298 that you're trying to witness to, 0:24:13.298,0:24:16.482 but someone teaching. 0:24:16.482,0:24:18.003 There is such a thing 0:24:18.003,0:24:21.335 as church discipline in Scripture 0:24:21.335,0:24:23.585 for those who profess to be Christians, 0:24:23.585,0:24:27.012 but continue in unrepentant sin. 0:24:27.012,0:24:29.372 We are told to avoid the divisive person 0:24:29.372,0:24:32.042 after one or two warnings. 0:24:32.042,0:24:35.242 And we are to earnestly [br]contend for the faith. 0:24:35.242,0:24:39.584 Not put it aside for the sake of peace. 0:24:39.584,0:24:41.332 You know, in regards to a pastor 0:24:41.332,0:24:43.036 teaching from the pulpit, 0:24:43.036,0:24:45.621 and other Christians in a general sense, 0:24:45.621,0:24:47.733 of course, we should be sensitive, 0:24:47.733,0:24:49.438 but there should never be a case, 0:24:49.438,0:24:51.240 for instance, where a pastor thinks 0:24:51.240,0:24:52.939 I can't preach this certain truth 0:24:52.939,0:24:54.691 because so-and-so will be offended 0:24:54.691,0:24:57.062 and leave the church. 0:24:57.062,0:24:59.230 You know, I once had someone come to me 0:24:59.230,0:25:01.996 very disgruntled over [br]the doctrine of Calvinism 0:25:01.996,0:25:03.985 and the sovereignty of God, 0:25:03.985,0:25:07.512 and was showing their [br]anger and disgust over it. 0:25:07.512,0:25:10.757 The next time they came into our meeting, 0:25:10.757,0:25:12.879 and it came up in that sermon - 0:25:12.879,0:25:14.644 it was just in the text - 0:25:14.644,0:25:16.641 but he actually got up and walked out 0:25:16.641,0:25:18.995 in the middle of the sermon. 0:25:18.995,0:25:20.682 But you see, we're not to skip over 0:25:20.682,0:25:22.846 parts of the Bible in order to pacify 0:25:22.846,0:25:25.059 those types of people. 0:25:25.059,0:25:27.111 We're not to think I can't preach this 0:25:27.111,0:25:31.126 because so-and-so might leave the church. 0:25:31.126,0:25:34.108 I'm just the messenger. 0:25:34.108,0:25:35.836 It's not my message to tamper with. 0:25:35.836,0:25:40.200 In fact, it's a very [br]serious thing to do so. 0:25:40.200,0:25:42.782 You see, what I'm saying in these examples 0:25:42.782,0:25:44.996 is in making peace, 0:25:44.996,0:25:46.543 we should never do it in a way 0:25:46.543,0:25:48.501 which would deny Christ 0:25:48.501,0:25:50.346 and our Christian faith. 0:25:50.346,0:25:51.502 Our Lord Jesus said, 0:25:51.502,0:25:53.245 "If you deny Me before men, 0:25:53.245,0:25:55.254 then I will deny you before My Father 0:25:55.254,0:25:56.963 who is in heaven." 0:25:56.963,0:25:58.943 So this verse is not saying 0:25:58.943,0:26:01.128 in order to have peace and an easy life, 0:26:01.128,0:26:03.089 deny your faith in Christ. 0:26:03.089,0:26:05.023 Pretend you're not a Christian at times. 0:26:05.023,0:26:07.997 You know, many people [br]have gone to their deaths 0:26:07.997,0:26:10.689 because they were not willing to deny 0:26:10.689,0:26:12.904 they were Christians. 0:26:12.904,0:26:18.580 You see, there are some people 0:26:18.580,0:26:20.208 who will not have peace with you 0:26:20.208,0:26:23.167 because you are a Christian. 0:26:23.167,0:26:27.921 Like in the previous verses here, 0:26:27.921,0:26:30.924 he's not teaching if people persecute you, 0:26:30.924,0:26:32.653 then pretend you're not a Christian. 0:26:32.653,0:26:37.565 You are to be faithful [br]in your Christian faith. 0:26:37.565,0:26:39.922 But as far as it depends upon you, 0:26:39.922,0:26:46.008 be at peace with all people. 0:26:46.008,0:26:49.841 A Christian wife married to an unbeliever, 0:26:49.841,0:26:52.301 can and should go out of her way, 0:26:52.301,0:26:54.402 as far as it depends upon her 0:26:54.402,0:26:56.983 to be at peace with her husband. 0:26:56.983,0:26:59.819 But she cannot deny Christ in that. 0:26:59.819,0:27:01.764 And the same goes in the workplace. 0:27:01.764,0:27:03.923 Or anywhere else in life. 0:27:03.923,0:27:06.249 When you're around unbelievers, 0:27:06.249,0:27:09.597 you are to go out of [br]your way to live at peace, 0:27:09.597,0:27:12.239 but you don't deny Christ. 0:27:12.239,0:27:13.926 But as far as it depends upon you, 0:27:13.926,0:27:16.280 live at peace. 0:27:16.280,0:27:18.537 And we are not to sin 0:27:18.537,0:27:21.278 in order to have peace with people. 0:27:21.278,0:27:22.985 We are to have no fellowship 0:27:22.985,0:27:25.755 with the unfruitful works of darkness. 0:27:25.755,0:27:29.559 Lloyd-Jones pointed out something 0:27:29.559,0:27:31.597 regarding this which was excellent. 0:27:31.597,0:27:35.090 And that is there are some people 0:27:35.090,0:27:37.561 who have a tendency 0:27:37.561,0:27:39.156 to always want to retaliate 0:27:39.156,0:27:40.693 and strike back, and of course, 0:27:40.693,0:27:43.220 I've just given application for that. 0:27:43.220,0:27:45.026 But then of course, there are people 0:27:45.026,0:27:47.412 at the other end of the spectrum; 0:27:47.412,0:27:49.853 there are other people [br]who will do anything 0:27:49.853,0:27:52.503 for a peaceful life 0:27:52.503,0:27:54.180 and just give in to bullies 0:27:54.180,0:27:56.779 and let people walk all over them. 0:27:56.779,0:27:58.922 Well, that's not Christian either, 0:27:58.922,0:28:00.273 he points out. 0:28:00.273,0:28:02.660 And that is not what [br]this is talking about. 0:28:02.660,0:28:05.204 That sort of thing is just being lethargic 0:28:05.204,0:28:06.095 and cowardly, 0:28:06.095,0:28:08.955 or trying to avoid confrontations. 0:28:08.955,0:28:11.524 You see, this is not being scared 0:28:11.524,0:28:13.774 and so being willing to do anything 0:28:13.774,0:28:20.847 for a peaceful life. 0:28:20.847,0:28:22.458 Let me point out here, 0:28:22.458,0:28:24.940 in all this, there are sometimes 0:28:24.940,0:28:28.778 where you have to respond quickly. 0:28:28.778,0:28:30.807 It may be in defending someone. 0:28:30.807,0:28:33.599 He's not saying stop, [br]pause, think about it, 0:28:33.599,0:28:36.357 and the person's dead on [br]the floor or whatever. 0:28:36.357,0:28:40.097 Obviously, they're both in the context 0:28:40.097,0:28:42.235 of the examples I've given 0:28:42.235,0:28:43.864 when you can respond rationally 0:28:43.864,0:28:52.878 and there was time to think it through. 0:28:52.878,0:28:57.085 But you see, not acting in haste 0:28:57.085,0:28:59.442 and doing something [br]you regret is the idea. 0:28:59.442,0:29:01.185 But thinking it through. 0:29:01.185,0:29:02.805 What is the best response 0:29:02.805,0:29:05.097 that's going to glorify God? 0:29:05.097,0:29:08.248 What is going to be the best testimony? 0:29:08.248,0:29:10.151 What's going to be the best 0:29:10.151,0:29:13.917 to win these people to Christ? 0:29:13.917,0:29:15.450 And you see, ultimately, 0:29:15.450,0:29:22.117 these verses were the related theme 0:29:22.117,0:29:24.158 that keeps coming up in Romans 12 0:29:24.158,0:29:27.819 or a repeated word, [br]I should say, is "love." 0:29:27.819,0:29:29.601 You see this again and again. 0:29:29.601,0:29:33.447 Love is to dictate how we respond. 0:29:33.447,0:29:39.875 Love to God first and love to fellow man. 0:29:39.875,0:29:42.053 As Charles Leiter rightly points out, 0:29:42.053,0:29:43.407 with instruction like this 0:29:43.407,0:29:46.888 in the Sermon on the Mount also, 0:29:46.888,0:29:50.826 these instructions are not to be taken 0:29:50.826,0:29:55.363 as a to-the-letter law. 0:29:55.363,0:29:59.350 (Incomplete thought) 0:29:59.350,0:30:01.222 What I mean is you're not meant to 0:30:01.222,0:30:03.083 take these words like "rule #15." 0:30:03.083,0:30:05.100 This is how I should respond exactly 0:30:05.100,0:30:06.588 and tic that box 0:30:06.588,0:30:08.997 when it could be the wrong response. 0:30:08.997,0:30:11.587 But we're given principles here. 0:30:11.587,0:30:14.077 And the overriding principle is love. 0:30:14.077,0:30:16.813 How can I best show love to God 0:30:16.813,0:30:18.122 and love to fellow man 0:30:18.122,0:30:21.432 in how we respond? 0:30:21.432,0:30:22.643 You see, these verses, 0:30:22.643,0:30:24.339 they don't forbid going to 0:30:24.339,0:30:26.851 a civil magistrate when [br]you've been wronged. 0:30:26.851,0:30:29.373 Paul deals with that in the next chapter. 0:30:29.373,0:30:31.072 Even the Old Testament law 0:30:31.072,0:30:33.862 gave principles for civil magistrates. 0:30:33.862,0:30:35.746 So there's nothing wrong 0:30:35.746,0:30:39.669 with calling the police [br]or whatever authority. 0:30:39.669,0:30:43.099 But don't lash out. 0:30:43.099,0:30:46.156 First, pause and think. 0:30:46.156,0:30:48.225 What is the best way I can respond 0:30:48.225,0:30:49.728 that can give glory to God? 0:30:49.728,0:30:51.984 What is going to be the best witness? 0:30:51.984,0:30:54.249 Think first. Pray about it. 0:30:54.249,0:30:57.009 Don't take things personally. 0:30:57.009,0:31:00.793 It may be letting things go 0:31:00.793,0:31:03.132 is the best response that time. 0:31:03.132,0:31:06.983 It may be doing some charitable deed 0:31:06.983,0:31:08.172 is the best response. 0:31:08.172,0:31:09.599 It may be calling the police 0:31:09.599,0:31:11.649 and getting them arrested. 0:31:11.649,0:31:20.587 I remember last time I [br]was in the U.S. up north. 0:31:20.587,0:31:22.071 Well, it was in the middle. 0:31:22.071,0:31:29.654 Kind of everything's north of Texas. 0:31:29.654,0:31:32.915 But there was a member of the church there 0:31:32.915,0:31:36.308 who prior to making a profession in Christ 0:31:36.308,0:31:41.686 had been in prison for dealing drugs. 0:31:41.686,0:31:44.044 But after making a profession, 0:31:44.044,0:31:46.887 he'd gone back to it. 0:31:46.887,0:31:50.774 Well, the church was now [br]praying for his conversion. 0:31:50.774,0:31:52.611 You know, they were loving him 0:31:52.611,0:31:53.834 and praying for him. 0:31:53.834,0:31:55.092 But at the same time, 0:31:55.092,0:31:57.122 they were also praising God 0:31:57.122,0:31:58.450 in the same prayers 0:31:58.450,0:32:00.293 for taking him off the street 0:32:00.293,0:32:02.757 so he's not harming others 0:32:02.757,0:32:04.269 with his drug dealing. 0:32:04.269,0:32:07.238 You see, that is a right balance there. 0:32:07.238,0:32:09.490 Love and glory to God 0:32:09.490,0:32:12.175 dictates our response. 0:32:12.175,0:32:14.899 So we have to pause. Think it through. 0:32:14.899,0:32:16.969 What is going to bring glory to God? 0:32:16.969,0:32:18.780 And of course, you can apply this 0:32:18.780,0:32:20.979 to other areas of life 0:32:20.979,0:32:23.486 when you're not treated evil. 0:32:23.486,0:32:26.323 You know when you're choosing what to do. 0:32:26.323,0:32:27.530 You have many choices. 0:32:27.530,0:32:29.201 Think it through. 0:32:29.201,0:32:31.487 What is going to bring more glory to God? 0:32:31.487,0:32:33.723 When you're volunteering [br]to help for things, 0:32:33.723,0:32:35.675 it's very easy to volunteer, isn't it, 0:32:35.675,0:32:37.054 to do everything, 0:32:37.054,0:32:41.261 but sometimes you can take[br]things too much on 0:32:41.261,0:32:42.934 and that can be a bad testimony 0:32:42.934,0:32:45.670 because you can't follow it through. 0:32:45.670,0:32:47.385 You think can I properly do this 0:32:47.385,0:32:51.017 and so forth? 0:32:51.017,0:32:56.454 So, let's pray. 0:32:56.454,0:32:58.641 Our Father, we thank You for Your Word 0:32:58.641,0:33:00.278 and we pray You would help us 0:33:00.278,0:33:03.329 to apply these principles 0:33:03.329,0:33:04.361 to our lives; 0:33:04.361,0:33:06.446 that we would be governed by Scripture, 0:33:06.446,0:33:07.763 that we would not be 0:33:07.763,0:33:10.744 unnecessarily a bad testimony. 0:33:10.744,0:33:12.823 Help us to be about our Father's business, 0:33:12.823,0:33:15.232 concerned for the name of the Lord 0:33:15.232,0:33:17.605 in what we say, what we do. 0:33:17.605,0:33:20.060 In Jesus' name, Amen.