Day 227: Unpacking Romans 12-Good Overcomes Evil

Romans 12:21

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, on light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

These wise words were spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. at a time in history when segregation, and discrimination based on race had come to a boiling point in America. Black people, and people of color in America were oppressed simply because of the color of our skin. Many were: beat, killed, lynched, jailed, raped, turned down from jobs,, spit on, hosed down with fire hoses, attacked by police, attacked by police dogs, etc. This was all because there was a hate for the color of their skin. Martin Luther King had been put in jail multiple times, led peaceful protests, and gave beautiful speeches. As a God-fearing man, he refused to fight fire with fire, but he also stood up for what he believed in, no matter the cost. Kind of like Paul.  

Now when I planned this series, never did I think that I would be addressing this specific subject on this day. I am referring to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend. Where hate has once again led to violence, pain, and death. I’m reminded of this scripture in light of everything going on, that we as a people, the body of Christ cannot be overcome by this. Especially my brothers and sisters of color, as it can be intimidating and scary to think that the color of your skin, something God gave you and He views as beautiful, trust me it wasn’t a mistake; however it is disheartening to think that something as simple as your skin tone can get you killed. Even in this dark truth I encourage you all to find hope in the Lord. To not be overcome by the hate we face each and everyday and what we see on television and social media. The only way we can overcome the evils of this world is by doing good. Evil cannot beat good. Hate cannot beat love. Dark cannot be light. Fear cannot beat hope. So today I want to encourage the body of Christ to love in the face of hate, to do good in the face of  evil. Be a light in the dark. I know that it hurts us, and not just the black and hispanic community, but we as the body of Christ should all be grieved by the fact that our brothers and sisters are being hurt, attacked, and murdered because of hate.

We have been seeing this for centuries. Not just in American History, but the history of the world. Even in the bible, the rifts between the Jew and Samaritans. The Hebrew people who were enslaved by the Egyptians. None of this is new, but we must be able to see it through the filter of God’s eyes. I cannot tell you why this type of stuff happens or why it has to happen but I can tell you that God is bigger than all of it. God’s love and light never runs out. As long as we know who is for us, we will never run out of hope.

All this to say, even in the midst of all this, it is our job to pray for those who persecute us. To do good to those who curse us. Now is the time, more than ever, to put everything that we talk about and preach about into action. We are called to love, we know this. But please don’t let your love be tainted by hate. Don’t let the good in you be taken away by evil. I beg of you, as hard as it may be, don’t run out of hope. Don’t stop seeing the bright side, there’s always a bright side. In the face of evil, don’t forget that God is good. God is love.

Reflection

1. How are you feeling?
2. How do you feel about the state of the world?

Prayer Time

Take the time to pray for the state of our nation. Pray for those affected by racism and those who are racist. Pray that love continues to conquer hate. Have an honest conversation with God.

I love you so much! I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 228!

Day 173: One Heart, One Soul, One Love- Day 3

Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

In a world that’s plagued by hate a fear let’s choose to love. So many people have been harmed and lost their lives because of hate, and it’s taking a toll on every nation. It’s plaguing communities because people are now afraid of what will happen to them. The acts of hate have caused people to live in fear. People are also choosing to stand up and not be consumed by the fear or the hate. I truly believe that in these hard times we have to cling to love. We have to combat all the hate, all the evil, all the fear with love. Hate cannot win and we cannot allow it to win, we have to stand up for one another. We must stand in love together to defeat this monster that is hate. We cannot allow it to defeat us, we cannot fight back with hate either. We fight with love, we push back with love. We serve a God who is love, and if God is not, cannot, and will never be defeated, we have to stand on His word and know that neither will we.

I know it’s better said than done, with so much going on but trust me, love combats hate, love is greater that hate, and the power of love overpowers hate.

In America today, racism has become a huge issue once again. As black men, women, and children are being killed and harassed by the police daily. Black and hispanic people are harassed by other citizens because of the color of our skin and nothing else. The justice system is failing a community of people. Black and Hispanic students are being harassed and tormented everyday. As a black women I have witnessed and experienced racism first hand and how this country treats black people because I have been treated this way. It puts fear in you and torments you day and night, as we keep tabs on our black and hispanic family and friends, out of fear that they will be harmed or killed while doing something normal like walking down the street at night. All over the world people are being persecuted because of the color of their skin. One thing is true, is that God made us all in His image, and no one is better or more superior than the next. No matter the color of your skin, we are all equal and we all bleed red when wounded.

Reflection/Prayer Time

Today let’s pray for those all over the world affected by racism. Pray for those who have to deal with the hate and bigotry every day. Pray for peace in America, and all over the world. If you are affected by this, open up about it and talk about with someone, share your experiences. If you are on the other end of the spectrum, take the time to learn about these issues, listen to the stories and be open to change your heart and views when it comes to these issues.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Try your best to learn something new about someone else today. Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 174!

Day 87: Dare to Love!

John 15:12-13

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Luke 10:30-37

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d]walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Love takes risks, we have to take a chance on loving people sometimes. This means putting ourselves on the line for our friends and for other people. Love is selfless. Love is willing to lose in order to help someone else across the finish line.

I came across a video today of the Love run. When a woman was too weak to cross the finish line, two men aided her towards the finish line as hundreds of other people passed her up, in efforts to finish the race themselves. As they got closer another man came and carried her to the finish line, and when he got her there he put down to allow her to cross the finish line herself. He did not make this victory about himself by carrying her across the finish line but he helped her to it.

We have to choose as followers of Christ to be the one person to stop and help someone in need. We have to be the person that’s going to take a lost so that someone else can win and in the end it’s not about winning or losing it’s about selfless love.

Our generation is sometimes obsessed with self, we are so focused on winning and doing things for ourselves that we forget that there is a whole world outside of us. There are people who need love, and if we are so consumed with loving ourselves or making sure we are winning do we really have time for anyone else? Do we really have time to sacrifice, and love people like Christ loved us? Jesus was not concerned about himself when He came to earth, he was concerned with His people, his focus was on us. His love was geared toward even the people that hated Him. Our generation is also consumed with only loving those who love us, only doing for those who do for us. But what about the people who don’t love us, what about the people who could care less about us, can we dare to love them. Can we dare to carry them to the finish line.

The story of the Good Samaritan is so profound because, there was so much strife between the jews and Samaritans at this time, racial tensions between the two groups of people, which is why he is called a “despised Samaritan”, Yet he was the only one to even consider stopping to help this man, knowing the troubles between he and this Jewish man, he was willing to put that aside and see a need that needed to be met. Knowing that there was a possibility that this man would hate him he still took a chance. We have to be the same, even when we are despised, even when it’s not about us, even when we know we will get nothing in return; we must dare to love. It is the only thing that will keep this world from  completely falling apart. We must dare to love selflessly in a world that is so selfish. We must be the ones to make the choice to go back for the person that everyone has stepped over. We must be willing to help our enemies. We must learn to risk it all for love. It will be worth it.

Reflection

1. Would you be willing to take a loss so that someone else can win?
2. Do you consider yourself a selfless person?
3. How far will you go to make sure someone knows they are loved by you?

Prayer Time

Allow your answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Talk to God about what it means to love like Him.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day/evening. Make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for day 88!