God's "Good and Evil" Formula

God's "Good and Evil" Formula
 

It's a rather simple formula, really. It's a four-part formula that is answered with whether you should "do" or "don't do". It goes like this:

Repay evil with evil - Don't do

Repay good with evil - Don't do

Repay evil with good - Do

Repay good with good - Do

Okay, I said this is God's formula, so that means I need to back it up with Bible verses. Let's look where I got this idea...

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." (1 Thess. 5:15) Okay, this verse verifies the first of the 4-part formula; shall we see more?

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:18) Do we see here that we should repay evil with good? Now I'm not saying give your neighbor your daughter after finding out he raped your wife, but there's a legal system for handling that. But if they do you a personal wrong, say, stealing some fruits from your fruit tree, or telling lies about you to someone, we are not to act in vengeance, but pray for them, maybe talk to them about it, let them know you are aware they took fruit from your tree, and maybe ask them if they're in need so bad that maybe you can spare some more to them, or make a peaceful arrangement concerning whatever issue, but I feel one will find God wants us to demonstrate understanding and try to overcome the evil a neighbor may do with the goodness of understanding and patience, and approach them with the idea of making peace over a matter where they have committed an offense toward you.

"Say not thou, 'I will recompense evil'; but wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee." (Prov. 20:22) Here we see more of not repaying evil with evil.

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:" (Matt. 5:39 - 45) Here we find another equation in the formula; repay evil with good. Jesus wants us to do that. 1 Cor. 6:7 - 8 also says not to sue, but rather take a loss. Why is that? Because greed and covetousness win before anyone gets in front of the judge, that's why. Christians are expected to take a loss...

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:9 - 10) This looks like the last two parts of the equation, doesn't it? We should always do good, whether we have had good or evil done to us. We should eventually win over an evil heart with good; sound advice!

I have more concerning rendering good for receiving evil, and this one is from Peter! "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" (1 Pet. 3:8 - 13) Here is Peter saying not to render evil for evil, as I gave for God's first part of the formula. Peter goes into discussing why in that he says we will inherit a blessing, see good days, be insulated from harm,and the Lord will hear our prayers! Peter says one more thing about following this part of the formula; "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." (1 Pet. 3:17)

I would like to bring out one more piece of scripture about this formula before closing the study; "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay', saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:17 - 21) Here again is Paul with the first part of the formula that I mentioned. He mentions also the sin of taking vengeance, in that we steal from God the right of delivering righteous wrath upon the guilty. I mean, really, what are we doing, except inciting the situation to more wrathful exchanges between those who initiated the evil? And did you note it is written that repaying evil with good is like heaping coals of fire on their head? This means to say they will feel shame and guilt as like unto burning fire, which may lead to their repentance of their offending.

So here we have the formula of God concerning interaction regarding good and evil. The first half of the formula we don't do, and we have scripture explaining why. Likewise, we have the last half of the formula that we do want to do, and with Bible verses we also understand why. Let us go forth enthusiastically using the formula to interact with all we meet!