Video Notes: 

• First, we must keep in mind the beginning of Romans 12, “therefore”. This passage and all the passages in this chapter and going forward are written to Christians who already stand in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. These actions and commands do not make us right before God, rather we get to do them because we are already right before God.
• Evil is all around us. It’s tempting to give into it. When evil is done to us, it’s even more tempting to respond with evil and get revenge or hold a grudge. When we so, it starts to consume us. There is a better way.
• Overcome evil with good.
  • It starts among the believers. We can love one another with the love of God and see a truly different way of living in the church. We can forgive. We can be humble. We can serve. We can honor each other.
  • Then it spreads out. We can love those outside the church as well, even those who hurt us, trusting that God will ultimately deal with any injustice. This frees us to love and show kindness, to pray for and genuinely hope for people’s reconciliation both with us and with God.
• This conquering of evil with good is firmly grounded in the victory Jesus Christ has already accomplished. Jesus overcame evil with good. He made his enemies His friends by His loving sacrifice. That good and indeed the Good News of the Gospel continues to overcome evil every time a heart is turned in repentance.
• God loved us first and so now we can love others, reflecting that same gracious love of God on each other and out into the world around us, bringing peace and reconciliation.