Getting God's Message Getting God's Message Program Transcripts
Pastor Lud Golz
Pastor Lud Golz

About the Program | Meet Pastor Golz | Contact Information | Fellowship Bible Church | Christian Resources | Donations

  Home | Transcript Archive | September | September 29, 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. (Romans 12:20) 

I was fascinated by an illustration that throws a whole new light on what Romans 12:20 means: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
 
Dr Wuest writes: “As to heaping coals of fire on the head of the one who has injured one, that is equivalent to satisfying his hunger and quenching his thirst…(These) actions meet a desperate need of the individual, and are an outstanding kindness shown him. 
 
“Heaping coals of fire on his head also meets a desperate need…In Bible times an oriental needed to keep his hearth fire going all the time in order to insure fire for cooking and warmth. If it went out, he had to go to a neighbor for some live coals of fire. These he would carry on his head in a container, oriental fashion, back to his home. The person who would give him some live coals would be meeting his desperate need and showing him an outstanding kindness. If he would heap the container with coals, the man would be sure of getting some home still burning. 
 
“The one injured would be returning kindness for injury, the only thing a Christian is allowed to give back to the one who has injured him. This act of kindness God could use to soften the heart of the person and lead him on to repentance and the offering of a recompence for the injury sustained. In this way the Christian would overcome evil with good.” 
 
I’ve been in many 3rd world countries where I have seen the importance of such coals for meeting basic needs. What a creative, gracious response.   
 
When someone injures you or your reputation pray for wisdom and grace to respond in creative and loving ways.
 

Getting God's Message with Lud Golz, P.O. Box 167, Novelty, Ohio 44072

design by Klein Studios, Inc.