The Romance of Romans-Part 88

[Michael]

Romans Chapter 12 cont'd

Love others without any pretense. Hate what is evil and embrace what
is good. Really care about your fellow believers and don't compete
with one another except in the "holy competition" of honoring and
promoting others instead of yourself. Don't be lazy and irresponsible,
but fervently serve the Lord in every arena of life. Let the
expectation of your glorious future in the presence of God be the
source of joy that strengthens you to endure the pressures of this
life. Fill your daily life with prayers, generously share your
resources to meet the needs of fellow believers and eagerly show
hospitality to others.
Don't curse those who persecute you, but bless them instead. Celebrate
with those who are rejoicing and sympathize with those who are
weeping. Be thoughtful toward one another. Don't value the "high and
lofty" things of life that feed people's egos, but deliberately
identify with "lowly" things and people. Don't consider yourself as
"being above" or "too good for" such mundane and ordinary things. Save
your energies- if you value lowliness, then no one can put you down!
Don't return an injustice for an injustice- two wrongs don't make a
right. Walk in integrity of heart before all people. As much as it is
possible and within your control, live at peace with others.
Don't take personal vengeance into your own hands my dear friends.
(You're not holy enough or smart enough to do it right anyway!) Leave
room for God to act on your behalf according to his perfect wisdom and
timetable. The scripture says, "Vengeance is mine to dispense; I will
repay, says the Lord." Rather, disarm and convict your enemy by
shocking them with kindness. Again the scripture says, "If your enemy
is hungry, give him some food. If he is thirsty, give him a drink."
Doing this is the best way of helping them get in touch with and turn
away from the wrongness of what they are doing. Don't be overwhelmed
by evil, but overcome evil with good. Don't curse the darkness; turn
on a light!

Comments:

The fourth point of "reformation" that I see in this chapter is what I
would call, A Set of Heartfelt Values. Since I was a new believer have
always been struck by the comprehensive nature of Romans 12 when it
comes to "practical" or "pastoral" theology. Internalizing the spirit
of the simply profound Christlike way of life recommended here is a
way of becoming informed on a heart-level as to how we should navigate
as spiritual people in a world (and a church world) that is dear to
God, but never perfect.
Every sentence in this section of Romans 12 is loaded with meaning and
exhortation for the gritty situations of our daily lives. Paul's first
point is that we "love others without any pretense". You can view the
rest of what's on the list as "teasing out" what that life of love
looks like...how the love of Christ that genuinely courses through our
beings leads us to respond to people of all kinds. It's a great
passage to read over slowly, internalize and then rejoice over as the
personal applications present themselves to our hearts and minds under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.