In this sermon on Romans 12:17–21, Pastor Blaine works through how Christians are to respond when evil is done to them, starting with Paul’s call to give actual thought to our response rather than reacting on sinful instinct. He spends significant time distinguishing forgiveness from reconciliation and restoration — forgiveness is always on you and isn’t contingent on the other person apologizing, but it doesn’t erase consequences or guarantee the relationship returns to what it was. He then explains why leaving vengeance to God is the only foundation that makes genuine forgiveness possible, and takes an extended detour through “turn the other cheek,” arguing it addresses personal retribution rather than ruling out self-defense, civil justice, or speaking the truth. He closes with an audit: how you handle being cut off, whether you have feuds you’re avoiding, and whether your enemies are confused by your kindness toward them.