Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

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October 27, 2016 · 2 Comments

Day 27 #CuratingtheGood — Overcome

Curating the Good· Slider Posts

overcome

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Yesterday, I shared about all the evil rising up these days and that we are supposed to be light in the darkness. If we are the light, that means the darkness is on the outside. But what happens when the darkness we feel is on the inside?

As Christians, we are to be holy as our Heavenly Father is Holy. We should be filled with joy because we have right relationship with God. Our futures are assured and God has promised to finish the good work that He has started within us. We are to be His ambassadors, sharing His grace and love and truth with a dying world. We can live an abundant and victorious life because of the sacrifice of Christ for us and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to us.

But some days it’s hard to see the good in life.

Some days it’s hard to see the good in ourselves.

In spite of God’s loving assurance and presence, many Christians lead lives of quiet desperation. Contrary popular belief, one of the first places you can look for encouragement is in the commands we find in the Bible. God’s commands reveal what God is like because He is the standard for us.

Are You a Checklist Person?

Some people look at lists like the one in Romans 12 as a checklist (see below). When they go down this “checklist,” they see it as a pass/fail test. There are those who are discouraged, only seeing their failures in the list. There are those who will take credit for the commands that they are keeping well, reminding themselves, I’m not perfect, but I’m better than a lot of people!

Of course, we know that the truth is closer to the first way of thinking because “none is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12, ESV). What can we make of it, if there is no good in us and we keep failing at obedience? How can we ever hope overcome sin to become the person God created us to be??

pleasing-to-god-checklist

When my own sin discourages me, reading the imperatives, or commands, in God’s Word edifies me. Edification is teaching or instruction, but it is also the process of improving or building up. His rules for us remind us of who we are meant to be and to Whom we belong. For the Christian, since God has promised to sanctify us by His grace, these commands are the assurance of what He is doing, right now, in us (1 Peter 1:2). HE is the one to overcome!

With the hope-filled confidence that God will finish the work He has started in you, read the passage below as the checklist that He is completing in you, day by day. Read Romans 12:9-21 as a promise:

Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Copyright: stevenjfrancis / 123RF Stock Photo

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Previous Post: « Day 26 #CuratingtheGood — Good Works
Next Post: Day 28 #CuratingtheGood — Do Good »

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Comments

  1. Martha Spector says

    October 28, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    I love that scripture but I have to say the enemy part is very hard at times. To feed and to give them a drink…that is almost like nurturing.
    Oh Lord, may I always find grace and love to tend to the needs of my enemies.

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift of writing with us.

    Reply
    • Britta says

      October 28, 2016 at 8:28 pm

      Thank you Martica!!! My sweet friend, I feel the same way. That is SO HARD. Let’s thank the Lord that He is at work in us, in spite of us! 🙂

      Reply

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In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
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