Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere.v Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.w 10 Be devoted to one another in love.x Honor one another above yourselves.y 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,z serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,a patient in affliction,b faithful in prayer.c 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.d Practice hospitality.e
14 Bless those who persecute you;f bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.g 16 Live in harmony with one another.h Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.c Do not be conceited.i
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.j Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.k 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.l 19 Do not take revenge,m my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”d n says the Lord. 20 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.”e o
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
"Love others."
I'm sure many of you have heard the following statement (or some variation) from your pastors at church. It's because we are constantly told that, as Christians, we should be "loving" our neighbors, family, and friends. But what does that even mean? What does it mean to "love" as Christians?
I'm sure many of you have heard the following statement (or some variation) from your pastors at church. It's because we are constantly told that, as Christians, we should be "loving" our neighbors, family, and friends. But what does that even mean? What does it mean to "love" as Christians?
For many of you, the word "love" may have a romantic connotation, such as the relationship between a husband and wife. While this notion is common, I don't believe this is what the apostle Paul is referring to in Romans 12. He is describing a different type of love, one that is greater, true, and pure-- one that is centered on God.
That's what Paul is attempting to address through Romans 12. He first describes that "love" requires sincerity (9). It needs to be authentic, and genuine. When we act in a selfless manner, we are not doing so with ulterior motives or obligation. We do it with 1) God in mind and heart and 2) with a pure desire to act. Such "love" is reflective of what God shows to us; the same fervor, goodness, and faithfulness.
Paul continues and describes that this true "love" requires us also to be radically forgiving. In our culture, we are often encouraged to react strongly when someone wrongs us. If a person hurts us, we are taught to fire back with revenge. But that's not what Paul is encouraging here. In fact, he asks us to do the opposite: to show forgiveness and kindness to our "enemies." Just as God shows us grace, we should show the same to others. That may entail offering help to the struggling classmate who wronged you weeks back.
It seems so countercultural, but this is the love that is described in the Bible and here in Romans. It is a love that is reflective of that which God shows us: one that is marked by goodness and His faithfulness.
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