A “No Return” Policy

“Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper

and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.”

Romans 12:17 (Amplified)

 

 

Did you read the fine print?

That purchase you made last week has a “No Return” policy attached to it by the store.

As believers, we too, have a “No Return” policy in scripture.

It is found in today’s verse.

And like so many other commands of scripture it is hard to be obedient to its’ intent apart from the Spirit of God working in us.

We want a return policy on evil dished out to us.

 We say revenge is sweet.

But God inspired Paul to write these words as the correct alternate action –

“…take thought for what is honest and proper and noble…”

How interesting to me that the ‘corrective action’ prescribed points us to our thought life.

So often we ascribe evil intentions to someone’s innocent or accidental actions toward us.

Our thoughts go into overdrive about how

 “…they never liked me…”

or

“…they couldn’t wait to get even…”

and while that may be true sometimes, more often than not,

our thoughts have turned that tiny little mole hill into a mountain.  

But the advice still applies even if it was an intentional, malicious act.

We do not repay evil for evil.

Jesus gave us the ultimate example as He was dying on the cross.

“Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”

So the next time you are tempted to ‘get even’ remember this:

God has given us a ‘No Return’ policy on evil.

He has commanded us to stop and think and take the honest, proper and noble response.

 No fine print there!