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