Romans 12:17 - Doing Right & Looking Right

Vengeance not only damages our soul, it destroys our witness. Romans 12:17 warns against revenge and follows that warning with these words: “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” 

This is true in every area of life. For example:

⮞ When handling church funds, Paul said he was “taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man” (2 Corinthians 8:21).

⮞ Peter stressed our integrity in regard to our witness, especially when dealing with non-Christians who’d like to discredit it. We must keep “a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against [our] good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:16).

⮞ When Paul explains the requirements for a pastor, he says, “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:7). We know how important this is. We’ve seen well-known pastors and teachers fall into sin and bring discredit to the gospel.

When we love the Lord, we seek to do what’s right for the sake of our relationship with the Lord and for our witness to the world. 

🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔

I hope you have enjoyed the Romans 12 Series. You might want to use this series for a small group study:

Romans 12:1-2 – Grateful and Transforming 

Enjoy these two wonderful truths from Romans 12:1-2. 

 

Romans 12:3 – A Reasonable View of Ourselves 

This short verse is packed with a powerful truth about the basis for biblical self-esteem.

 

Romans 12:4-8 – Belonging 

Romans 12:4-8 offers a helpful analogy for Christians working together in unity with diverse gifts. 

Romans 12:9 – Biblical Love Hates Sin 

This verse gives a powerful, relevant description of what true biblical love means. 

Romans 12:10 – Who Are You Going to Honor?

Romans 12:10 contains an important command, but it's not very popular with modern culture.

 

Romans 12:11 – Who Do You Love? 

Romans 12:11 is a powerful verse that reveals some important truths about loving God. 

Romans 12:12 – Joy, Patience, Prayer 

Romans 12:12 explains three important truths that can revolutionize our lives in Christ. 

Romans 12:13 – Helping the Needy 

Romans 12:13 commands us to help those in need, and 1 Peter 3:16 warns us about persecution. What do these things have in common? The devotion explains.

 

Romans 12:13 – Hospitality 

Do you know the meaning of biblical hospitality? It has a special meaning, and it's emphasized throughout Scripture.

 

Romans 12:14-21 – A Crazy Idea! 

Romans 12 explains an idea that sounds "crazy" to the world, and it involves heaping burning coals on our enemy's head.

 

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice and Mourn 

Romans 12:15 gives us a two-part command that can bless us and bless others. Will you take the challenge?

 

Romans 12:16-18 – Relationships in Harmony 

Romans 12 urges us to live in harmony and peace with others, and it contains this important truth about relationships.

 

Romans 12:16 – Snobbery 

This short passage in Romans 12 contains an important command for all of us. 

 Bible Love Notes