"Overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21.)

In the sevenfold picture of the church's history in Rev. 2:and 3:, we have a sevenfold promise to the " overcomer," and at the close of the book, after describing the eternal state, again the promise is given, '' He that overcometh shall inherit these things." We are in a race which only ends when we take our seats on high; in a warfare, a " good fight," which ceases when we leave this scene. Blessed is it to know that we "run, not as uncertainly," that the end is sure, though there be conflict on the way. We follow a Victor, One who has conquered for us, and this nerves us for the conflict, gives patience in all toil. Still, it is well to remember that there is a conflict, a race, and that grace, while making the end sure, has not obliterated the wilderness.

We can look at this overcoming, however, not as the final outcome of our life, but also as that which should characterize each day of that life. Taken as a whole, the life of each believer is a victory; in some in a very small degree; but taken in detail the lives of many show more defeat than victory, and in all there are some points where defeat comes in. It is rather at the details than at the final outcome we would look now, remembering, however, that details make up the total, and that "saved as by fire," and " an abundant entrance " are in contrast.

The conflict is with evil, and not mere impersonal evil, but the evil one and his emissaries. His devices are manifold, suited to those whom he assaults; and hidden that he may the better ensnare,-"the wiles of the devil." We meet evil in ourselves, our circumstances, our brethren, and in the world. The question is, How are we to overcome it ?

And the first answer must be, to know it as evil. Light shone into Paul's heart when (Rom. 7:) he distinguished between himself and sin that dwelt in him. This did not enable him to overcome it, it seemed to make the conflict more desperate, but he saw sin, knew it was that and what to expect of it. We must learn to call things by their right names, to recognize them, to judge them.

We do not fight evil for the sake of fighting. "Abstain, hold off from, fleshly lusts which war against the soul." It when evil has usurped some of our inheritance, our portion, as believers that we are to thrust it out. With Edom Israel would have no conflict, God would judge it in His time; but with the inhabitants of the land the case was different. They were occupying what belonged to Israel, and therefore must be expelled. So with us. With the flesh, the sinful nature as such, we are to have no conflict, knowing that sentence has been passed upon it on the cross, and that in a little while it will be obliterated, when "this mortal shall put on immortality."

But when this flesh, used of Satan, would intrude into our spiritual life, occupy our time, demand our attention, interfere with communion and service, and dim our conception of the portion that is ours in Christ,-then we must overcome the intruder and cast him out, or, like Israel, the good land will soon be out of our hands, and we will be driven to dwell in caves.

It is well to remark here that no compromises were to be made with the enemy in the land. "Ye shall make no league with the inhabitants." Led by Joshua, victorious Israel marched through the length and breadth of the land:this was victory in general. But when we come to individual history, we find the enemy unsubdued in many places, or if subdued, not exterminated, but made tributary. But who ever made evil tributary to good ? Apparently we may, but for a season only. Pride may thus be made to "ape humility." Emulation may seem to incite to as diligent service as zeal, but in a little while it will be manifest that the pride and the emulation have gained control of ourselves ; our tributaries have become our masters. There can be no compromise. Extermination is needful. Just here was the kernel of all Israel's failure, as a glance at the book of Judges will show, and a glance nearer home will doubtless show the same thing. Rome may make tributaries of the very sins it professes to forgive, but Rome is only a shining example of that of which we speak.

Conflict, then, there must be, and that until the foe is completely conquered. But how are we to fight? If we use Satan's weapons, we are not fighting God's battle. " The weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God." The short verse at the head of this paper tells us how. '' Overcome evil with good." The one thing Israel had to do with the land they conquered was to occupy it. Mere victory over the foe was but a negative advantage, preliminary to that practical appropriation of the land to their own use, which God had designed. So important was this that God made the extirpation of the enemy to be as gradual as their power to occupy the land. "And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee little by little :thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee." (Deut. 7:22.) The empty house of Matt. 12:is a solemn explanation of this. Our life is a positive thing; it must not only be not evil, but actually good.

And this is what our verse teaches us. Good will overcome evil. To him that hath shall be given. Our possessions well cultivated, fully occupied, and we will encroach on and drive out the next evil, in order that we may gain more of our inheritance. It is the good that we want, and we are to be only so far occupied with the evil as to see how far it hinders us, to judge it, and in the energy of faith overcome it by good. How does the farmer rid his field of weeds and briars ? Not by plowing and harrowing, for this would but sow a fresh crop of weeds, and by tearing the briar roots apart, cause two to grow where there had been but one before. He puts the field in wheat, fertilizing well, and sows thickly in grass. As a result, the wheat and grass give the weeds no room for growth, and they soon disappear. Let us learn from this, in our individual life and in relation to one another. We know evil is there. We do not shut our eyes to it, but we know it can be overcome in one way only-by the substitution of something better.

Is not this God's way ? What is the gospel of His grace but the overcoming of evil with good ? The law made the offense to abound. Grace came in and drove sin off the field. "The kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared," and that by the power of the Holy Spirit, subdued those who were "hateful and hating one another." The message of love to rebellious sinners was His '' soft answer which turneth away wrath." May we be imitators of God as dear children.

Sorrow over sin and folly there will be, firm judgment of evil and straightforward obedience; but this only confirms our truth; for these are in themselves powerless to overcome evil, they but prepare the way for the good.

It is most important to remember this in our relationships,-the family, the assembly, and even in the world. "Husbands, love your wives" is but one of the exhortations which press this principle and which if all followed, would make home what it should be, a foretaste of heaven. How many an assembly of God's people is kept feeble by a constant spirit of criticism. The good is forgotten, neglected, and instead of "taking forth the precious from the vile," the process is reversed, and the vile is taken. We need to "strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die." Love is the only power by which evil can be overcome. Most of the failings in our brethren could be overcome in this way, while they are only multiplied when we attempt to pluck them out by the roots. The same could be said of worldliness in dress, habits, or conversation. Often it is mere emptiness, which can be filled with the precious things of Christ, to the joy of the person who would resent as impertinence any attempt at setting him right.

But what is good ? We answer simply, Christ in grace, known and loved. This embraces everything
-His word, His work, His person, His Church, -everything that concerns Him. Fix the center, and we can have as many circles about it as we may, they will all harmoniously be gathered about that center. It is this occupation with good, with Him who is perfect goodness, that is the secret of power and of joy. Oh, dear brethren, let us begin afresh with Him ? It is grace alone which gives power, and we would have firmness too; for love can be most firm when it is necessary. But it is love, and is manifest as that. May He whose perfect goodness in patience is dealing with all our waywardness teach us the full meaning of this, " Overcome evil with good."