Contemplative Bible Reading

Romans 12:21 (New Living Translation)

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome. Paul spends a few paragraphs on the subject of love and loving others. He concludes with this statement. Conquer evil with love.

Recently in America, someone was killed. Some Americans found the deceased to be virtuous and commendable. Some Americans found the deceased to by vile and distasteful. Hmm,

• Those folks disagree with me.
• Those folks are evil.

The first point is objective and correct. The second point is subjective and open to question. For a moment, let’s suppose “those folks” are really evil. Hmm, Paul tells us what to do next.

Let’s ponder this for a moment. Half of America believes the other half is evil. All Americans follow Paul’s instructions. Now all Americans love all Americans and do good towards them. How about that situation?

Let’s try it.