How to Overcome Evil

Day 210: Romans 12:1-21

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:21 ESV

In our reading for today, Paul lays out his solution for changing the world. There are so many in our world today who aren't shy about telling us about their own plans for a preferred future. If we would just subscribe to a particular political party or start using a certain product or lose fifteen pounds or sell our souls to sports or gain more education, then we could start living the good life.

The systems we have subscribed to that promise to change our lives (and our world) continue to come up short.

Instead, in this chapter, we see these words — sacrifice, worship, transformation, discernment, grace, sobriety, faith, body, giftedness, rejoicing, serving, encouragement, generosity, mercy, love, honor, hope, hospitality, blessing, harmony, humility, peaceably, and goodness.

Paul really believed that this was how he and his fellow first-century disciples of Jesus were going to change the Roman world.

And they did.

Actually, Jesus did.

It is, of course, a process God is bringing about in us (sanctification). It will take some time, but this is how we will help bring about lasting change in this fallen world. It is the kind of change that will carry on throughout eternity.

"This is not merely prudential; it is the way God himself has proceeded against his enemies (cf. 5:8). The mercy of God (to which Paul appealed at the beginning of this chapter, v. 1) will triumph over the rebellion and disobedience of men (11:32); the mercy of those on whom God has had mercy may similarly prove victorious." - Barrett, C. K. (1991). The Epistle to the Romans (Rev. ed., p. 223)