July 23 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The gospel transforms us and teaches us a new lifestyle of surrender to God (vv. 1-2). This new way of living is learned within the new community—the church of Christ (vv. 3-13). The Bible gives directions on how to live with each other within the church. Its main message is that we must love each other. But in our relationships with those who would harm us, we must also use that new weapon of love.

The Christian life is first and last a life of love. This love comes from God, is revealed in Christ, and becomes ours by the Holy Spirit. It goes through us to others, and it is the best assurance that we are children of God.

Christian love is new and redeeming. It is desperately needed in our world where even natural affection has a hard time surviving.

"Do not be overcome by evil." Evil is a power that overcomes everyone who does evil—also the person who counters evil with evil. If we avenge ourselves, evil has scored a double victory: first we were the objects of evil, and then we became the subjects of evil. Both my adversary and I used the weapon of evil. Evil won.

"But overcome evil with good." Christians place good over against evil. While every "natural" person pitches evil against evil, Christians use a new weapon: they attempt to overcome evil with goodness.

Although many will smile at the very suggestion, Christians will practice this rule. They'll use the new weapon of love and goodness because they believe in the power of God.

But what if good does not prove to be stronger than evil? Shouldn't we refrain from wasting goodness on those who are evil? No! It is better to be a fool for God than to become a victim of evil. We are victims of evil only when we practice evil—not when we suffer for the cause of goodness.

REFLECTIONS

What form does evil sometimes take in your daily life? For example, have you been treated with hostility or prejudice or rudeness? What would a response of love and goodness look like in one or more of those situations?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.