Romans 12:9-21

Marks of the True Christian

Rom 12:9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

12:9 The key ingredient in interpersonal relationships is love—God’s love (agape). This kind of love is a self-sacrificial love, a love that cares for the well-being of others. All the gifts that are exercised in the body should be expressed in this love.

ME

Simple right just love the person or group with Agape love. That person that just took something from you, that person that harmed you or a family member. If you look at the other side of the coin is it helpful to hate? If you do what damage does that do to you?

Rom 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Rom 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rom 12:12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Rom 12:13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Paul is laying out how we are to respond to adversity. If you see a homeless person do you invite them into your home. If you live in Madison Wisconsin, your car would be full by the time you got to the store. In this day and age, you can find yourself so distrustful that you pass these people by. Our church has purchased two trailers and we offer them to the homeless with a few strings attached. They must come to church and the must find work to eventually sustain themselves. We support that.

Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

Mat 5:44  But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.] Pray for those who persecute you!

Jesus is really throwing down the gauntlet, love my enemies? That is extremely hard. Can you imagine what it would be like if we all played by these rules. That would be heaven on earth. Unfortunately, it shows how far we in America have strayed from Biblical principles.

Rom 12:15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

Have you met someone that thinks that for some reason they are worth more than you? I actually feel bad for those people because their internal worth is so bankrupt. Let’s put it this way if you are standing on solid soil it is hard to fall. If you are on a pedestal, there is no way but down.

Rom 12:17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Rom 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Rom 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD. Rom 12:20 Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap  burning coals of shame on their heads." Rom 12:21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Paul restates a lot of what he said earlier. He refers to (Deu 32:35  I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.' ) as far as revenge goes. We as Christians are called to live differently. In some cases, we are called to live dangerously. We are called to have faith in God that the right course of action will take place.

Agape