The relationship with non-believers.
"Pay no man evil for evil, seek to do good in the sight of all men."
"Do not pay anyone bad for evil." Here it is suggested that the believer can expect evil from the world system. However, he does not have to retaliate.
"Strive to do good in the sight of all men." There is nothing, esteemed listener, that can further harm the cause of Christ in the world, in this day, that a believer is dishonest. The world does not really care if you are one of those who believe the doctrine that the millennium will begin with the second coming of Christ, or if it believes in the sovereign election of God or in free will. The world does not even think about that. But people do want to know if you are a reliable person, that you keep what you promise, that you keep your word and honestly pay your debts; in other words, if you can be trusted.
Acting honestly in our dealings with others is more important than doing propaganda than we think. And, dear listener, the value is not in the literature that we can disseminate, in itself, in many cases, but in the traces that we are leaving in our passage through the world, and that accredit the public testimony of our faith.
"Pay no man evil for evil, seek to do good in the sight of all men." And then continue verse 18 saying:
"If possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."
I like to read this because there are certain people with whom it is practically impossible to live together. They themselves do not allow one to live in peace with them. This verse does not tell us that we have to get along with everyone, but "as far as it depends on us." Therefore, dear listener, we must do everything we can and allow God, who knows our limitations, to continue His work in those aspects of human relationships
that we can not control. We now come to verses 19 and 20:
"Do not avenge yourselves, my beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: Mine is vengeance, I will repay, says the Lord, so if your enemy is hungry, feed him; thirst, give him a drink, for by doing this, you will make his face burn with shame. "
This is one of the most important norms that we find in the Word of God. However, it is one of the most difficult attitudes to put into practice for the son of God. When someone hits us on one cheek, it is very difficult to present the other. You and I know that it is very difficult not to hit back, or to respond aggressively when we are offended. But the moment you and I take the matter into our own hands, and try to solve it ourselves, especially when someone has harmed us and we, in response, react harshly, we are trying to get rid of the problem of God's control and We are not already living by faith. God wants us to leave the problem of the offense received in His hands, because He will act with justice. If it is necessary that the offender, that is, the person who has harmed us, receive his due, then the Lord will take care of it. Now, when I talk about this, I realize that it is one of the most difficult things to put into practice in my own life. But, on one or two occasions, I have given things into the hands of the Lord and I have been surprised at the way He takes matters into His hands. God can do it much better than me. We must surrender the whole problem in the hands of the Lord, trusting that God will do what is just and willing Him to do His will, as opposed to what we impulsively wish to do. Moreover, we must pray for restoration and blessing for the one who has harmed us. Only thus, as the apostle says, "we will pile fire" on the head of the one who has offended us. This is a way of expressing the hope that our goodness will stimulate the shame and regret of our enemy.
Source of this work The biblical school following the teacher.
Reference Reina Valera 1960.
www.steemchurch.net