Choices!

Choices!

Romans 12:21 AMPC

[21] Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

Paul was writing this eternal to God's beloved people in Rome, who were called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life. This foundation is important, as we consider the message in the verse above. Interestingly, the start of the chapter from where this verse is taken further buttresses the audience, as the first two verses of this chapter admonishes the audience to present their bodes as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to God. Paul further counsels the audience not to be conformed to the pattern of the world they were living in, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds, in order to prove for themselves what God's good, pleasing and perfect will for their Iives were. This is the foundation upon which the verse above is laid. Paul was not speaking to people who were totally ignorant of God's desire for holiness and righteousness, but to people who had tasted of the gift and benefits of salvation. 

Do I belong to this group? Am I relying on head knowledge, or what I have heard over the years, but with no personal experience to speak about? Do I know God, and does He know me as His own? Have I accessed the grace that is available to all men, so that my actions and decisions reflect a life of total dedication to God? It is a submitted life that can reflect the glory and virtues of its owner. This is a reality that cannot be faked for a long time, because it is a demand that will cost me a normal, boring life. Reflect on the verse above, where Paul is counselling his audience not to let themselves be overcome by evil. This means that it is possible for a mortal man to be insured against evil, but it is about inner constitution, not outer muscle mass. I do not have the capacity to fight and defeat evil, because the human nature is prone to sin, and cannot choose to do good without some help. Anything sin is evil. 

Sin is the natural state of the fallen human nature, so doing evil will be the norm, rather than the exception. This is where a man needs the help of the One who has defeated evil. The verse above makes it clear that it is possible to choose not to let evil overcome you. This is only available to those who have fulfilled the first part of the chapter from where this last verse above is taken. Who have I truly submitted to? Who sits in charge of my heart's contents and focus? Who is pulling its strings, and determining its pursuits and priorities? An encounter with God is what gives a man the power to choose good over evil. There is no value in education, enlightenment or earnings that will give a man victory over the fallen human nature. Only Jesus can, and His help is always available to all who seek Him. Do not take this verse in isolation of the conditions to be met in order to qualify for help to defeat evil. Have I truly submitted? God's time of favour is here.