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 I 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.
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