Romans 12:9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“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.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 17:14-16
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Devotion
Paul continues to instruct believers on how they are to relate to one another. He begins by writing, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Why would Paul feel compelled to write this? Most likely he had seen other believers going through the motions of loving people in the church when their hearts and actions were not in line with the love of God. Hypocrisy means to wear a mask. A hypocrite says one thing, but their actions say something very different. The transformed mind (Rom. 12:2) recognizes that Christians are one family, and they should honor one another and love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.
Second, he instructs believers to “detest or hate that which is evil.” Light has no fellowship with darkness. We are to oppose evil and everything associated with it. Keep in mind, Paul is referring to the church here. When we see things in the church being done that are not good, we have a responsibility to bring it to the attention of the proper leaders. We are instructed in God’s Word that we are to be in the world but not of the world. Unfortunately, the world has a way of creeping into the life of the church.
Next, Paul instructs believers to let the Spirit of God kindle and motivate their service. He goes on to instruct believers to rejoice in their hope in Christ, share what they have, and share the joys and sorrows of the church family. He goes on and encourages us to keep praying in the afflictions and persecutions of life. There is a communion here that can only be experienced in the Body of Christ. Paul does not want his readers to miss out on this authentic fellowship.
Now, Paul gives us an instruction that is very difficult to live out: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” We have all had to deal with difficult people in the church family and in the world. The normal response to these people is to retaliate, but we are called to act differently. Clearly, we see here that pride is a great sin and humility is a great virtue.
It is obvious from this text that as believers, our role is to display God’s grace and love in our lives. God in Jesus conquered evil on the cross. We are not to let evil conquer us but to conquer evil with good.
Questions to Ponder:
Why do you think that sometimes Christians can’t get along? What are some of the characteristics of authentic Christian fellowship? How easy or difficult is it for you to respond to your enemies in the ways that Paul describes? Why is it so easy for us to want to retaliate when we’ve been hurt? What role does the Holy Spirit play in changing our attitudes toward our enemies?
Prayer Points
- Praise God as Helper, Redeemer, Strong Tower, Victorious Warrior
- Hallow His Name as the Holy Spirit leads you.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance any offensive way. Apologize for sin in your life and if you have harmed anyone. Receive His forgiveness and also pray about going to that person and asking for forgiveness. Soak in His grace.
Suggested Prayer
Papa, forgiving, loving and kind Father thank you for Your love and forgiveness. Thank you for Your unlimited patience and Your heart of compassion. God I ask that You would lead me today into Your heart of mercy and love, grace and truth. Tenderize my heart when coming along others who are cruel, mean and hateful. Teach me how to love LORD, by the power of Your Holy Spirit and great name, Jesus Christ, amen.