Let love be genuine. Romans 12:9
Imagine that you are chosen to serve on a focus group made up of first century Christians.
The facilitator enters the room and says, “The challenge we face is to overcome the growing tide of evil that is all around us. None of us would have chosen Nero as our Emperor, but this is the reality we are facing, and our task is to come up with some strategies for overcoming evil. I want each of you to write down what you think should be our top five strategies if we are to overcome evil in these increasingly dark days in which we live.”
What would be on your list? Many would write, “We need to pray.” Some might write, “We need to raise up godly leaders in every sphere of life—schools, business, the arts, politics, etc.”
No doubt others would write, “We need to teach our children the difference between right and wrong,” or “We need a new surge of evangelism and church planting.” All of these are good and necessary things, but none of them are what God says here.
Where do you begin if you want to overcome evil with good? “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection” (Rom. 12:9-10).
Why do you think God’s Word begins with “love” as vital in overcoming evil?
