Overcome Evil with Good

James Smith, 1859
 

A few years ago, of a farmer and a manufacturer resided in the same neighborhood; but though they were near neighbors, they were very different men in their principles and habits. The one was a true Christian, who while he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, made the precepts of the New Testament the rule of his conduct. He knew by experience what it was to be an enemy of God, and what it was for self-love to rule the heart; but being delivered from this state by the grace of God—he pitied and prayed for those who still remained in their natural lost condition. One precept of the New Testament, was often upon his lips, and oftener in his heart, and he daily sought grace from God, to carry it out in his life: it was this, "Be kind one to another." Ephes. 4:32.

He often had an opportunity afforded of carrying out this precept among the poor around him—but especially by his selfish neighbor. He opened his house for the worship of God, and this gave great offence, as his neighbor could not bear the Methodists, and all were Methodists with him, who worshiped God anywhere but in the Parish Church, or had any more religion than himself.

Now it so happened that our friend had a horse, which was in the habit of breaking out from its own pasture, and wandering into the farmer's fields. Instead of complaining, or sending the horse home, he impounded it, and made his neighbor pay damages; and this he did three times, and the last time the damages were heavy. Still the Savior's precept was considered binding, and "Be kind one to another" ruled his neighbor's conduct. Nor could he forget that it was written, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21.

Well, shortly after the horse was impounded the third time, one morning as the laborers came to their work, they saw a lot of sheep belonging to the selfish farmer, in the manufacturer's field. Away they hastened to their master, full of zeal and desire for retaliation, and said, "Now, master, you have got the chance of making Farmer pay, for there are a lot of his sheep in your field." The good man made no reply—but went in-doors, and wrote a note nearly as follows:

"Dear Sir, you are not aware of it—but there are some of your sheep in my field, I will thank you to send one of your men to take them out. I am, yours truly, etc." Having written the note, he immediately sent it by one of his men. The farmer received it, and read it with astonishment. He could scarcely believe his own eyes. He went and looked, there were his sheep in the field, sure enough. Three times he had impounded his neighbor's horse, because it was found on his farm, and had made him pay heavy damages; and now he sends a kind note to inform him that his sheep were trespassing in his field, and requests him to send some one to fetch them home. He felt confounded and bewildered. "Well," said he, "if this is Methodism I will never say anything against Methodism again."

And he never did, nor was be ever more annoyed at the religious services which were held on his neighbor's premises, as before; but a friendship sprung up between him and his neighbor, which existed ever after, and a neat Baptist chapel was erected on the ground of the conqueror, which remains to this day.

Reader, mark the power of real Christian principle, how it conquers our proud revengeful nature. It stays the mind on God, prompts us to imitate the holy life of Jesus, and enables us by kindness to overcome our bitterest foes. If professors of religion did but experience the power of religion, and if instead of yielding to the flesh they would carry out the precepts of the Gospel, we would see the infidel silenced, the persecutor paralyzed, and many an opponent converted. No one that professes the religion of Christ should expect to succeed in anything—but as he carries out the commands of Christ; for he is expected to be what he professes to be, and if he calls the Savior Master, he is required to do whatever he has commanded him.

He is not to say, "I will do unto him—as he has done to me;" but, "I will do unto him—as I have reason to believe Jesus would do if he was in my circumstances." Everyone that takes the name of Christian, is bound by the law of Christ, an epitome of which is, "So in everything, do unto others—what you would have them do unto you." Matthew 7:12. Nor is this less so, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you." Luke 6:27, 28. So is this, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing." 1 Peter 3:9.

Instead therefore of such a case as that I have narrated being uncommon, it ought to be of constant occurrence. Love is the spirit of true religion, and the practice of true religion is but love carried out into all the circumstances of life. True religion is not a creed, or a ceremony, or a form, or a profession. It is having the spirit of Christ, imitating the conduct of Christ, and always and everywhere walking by the law of Christ. True religion in the world is just making the commands of Christ visible.

O may we have grace to carry out the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32. As also that of Peter, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1

Beloved, the religion that does not make us like Christ—is not the religion of Christ; it is a counterfeit. For while we are justified by his obedience, and pardoned through his blood—we must be sanctified by his Spirit; and the sanctification of the Spirit alone, is satisfactory proof that our sins are pardoned, or our persons justified. Hence our Lord and Master said, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:16-20.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. The very first of these fruits you see is love, which in its nature and effects—is set forth by the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 13. Where, therefore, there is the nature of Christ, there will be in some measure the temper of Christ; and where there is the temper of Christ, there will be forbearance, meekness, a readiness to forgive injuries, and a desire to make all around happy and holy.

The man who does not admire the temper, conduct and precepts of Christ—who does not desire, pray, and strive to be like Christ—is not a Christian, whatever else he may be.

For every Christian, that is every one taught and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, daily mourns and grieves on account of his lack of conformity to the mind, will, and example of Jesus; and desires above everything else to be exactly like Jesus inwardly and outwardly, at home and abroad. Nor will anything ever satisfy the true believer—but being as holy as God is holy; or being filled with love as God is full of love. May the Holy Spirit deeply inscribe these two scriptures on our minds: "Be kind one to another," and "Overcome evil with good," that we may carry them out and illustrate them in our every-day life.