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This message is part of a series of messages on the Book of Romans. This covers Romans 12:9-21.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
If you have an outline, you will notice that last week we began with
Roman numeral VI. God's righteousness is revealed through the
conduct of believers. (12:1-15:13)
We discussed points A & B last week as we covered verses 1-8 in
chapter 12.
A. Christian conduct involves consecration to God. (12:1-2)
B.
Christian conduct involves participation in the body. (12:3-8)
Today, I am going to try to cover verses 9-21. As I have stated in the
past, I will not be going over every word or even every phrase, but we’re
trying to hit the main thoughts that the Apostle addresses in each chapter.
I’ve been trying to do about 2 sermons per chapter, so that doesn’t give us
time to examine every detail.
I’d just like to restate a small part of what I shared last Sunday for
those who might not have been here. In the letter to the Romans, the Apostle
has primarily written concerning theological and doctrinal topics during the
first 11 chapters.
Now, starting with chapter 12, he is emphasizing the practical aspects
of the Christian faith; demonstrating how doctrinal truth affects practical
Christian living. Paul is not one who believes that a Christian’s life isn’t
really too different from the non-Christian. Paul definitely believes that a
person’s faith should have an impact on the way he lives his life.
Being a Christian is certainly more than intellectually accepting a
collection of truths and propositions. It really involves a life that is
governed by those truths that provide the foundation for faith.
Let’s go to the 12th chapter of Romans now to continue our
examination of Paul’s admonitions.
C.
Christian conduct involves a demonstration of love. (12:9-21)
I don’t suppose that there is a Christian believer anywhere that
disputes the fact that we should live out the love of Christ in our everyday
lives. Anyone who knows anything at all about Jesus’ message knows that He
preached that we ought to demonstrate love to one another.
Even some secularists and atheists will say that we should “do the
loving thing” when asked how people should treat one another. But the real
question is, “How is love defined or described?” Is love anything that I say it
is? Or, are there some specific qualities and characteristics of love defined
in Scripture?
I think you know the answer to that question. The Bible has plenty to
say about what genuine love really is. 1 Corinthians 13 (which we heard read in
today’s Scripture reading), is one of the best descriptions of love ever
written.
i.
Love is demonstrated to fellow believers. (9-13)
In verses (9-13), according to some scholars, Paul writes about showing
love to fellow-believers.
There are several characteristics that he describes as true about the
kind of love Christians should demonstrate.
a. It must be sincere and morally sound. (9)
When we try to show love to one another, we must make sure that we are
not “just putting on an act”.
“without dissimulation” (KJV) – the verb form of this word means to act
on a stage, impersonate, or pretend, thus, play the hypocrite.
In other words, the expression of love must be genuinely sincere.
It also must be morally sound. “Abhor… evil; cling to the good.”
In the minds of many liberals today, we are expected to love
everything. But God says in order for our love to be genuine and to have
virtuous quality to it, we must HATE some things.
Our love for one another has to have a moral quality about it that
causes us to “cleave/cling” to that which is classified as “good” and it must
cause us to “abhor/loathe” that which is evil.
i.e. Love what God loves, and hate what God hates.
b. It must be unselfish. (10)
Verse 10 speaks of “kind affection” and “brotherly love.” Both of these
words are compound words that include one of the Greek words for love,
“phileo.”
This is a tender, warm, family-type love we should be demonstrating to
one another.
And, it must be unselfish. “In honor, preferring one another.” I don’t
believe there is a better way to describe unselfishness.
c. It must be vibrant and spiritual. (11)
Three qualities given in verse 11 all combine together, I believe, to
express the idea that our love should have a quality of vibrancy and fervency.
“Not slothful, i.e. diligent;” “fervent;” “serving”
When we practice showing love to one another, we ought to do it with a
spirit that demonstrates desire and passion; not half-hearted.
The fact that we are told to serve the Lord indicates that our
love-inspired deeds of service are to be a spiritual service or sacrifice to
the Lord, not merely a deed done for another person.
If we’re doing it for the Lord, then it won’t matter if others notice
or not, or if the recipients appreciate it or not. We’ve done it for the Lord!
And He always appreciates our sacrifices of love.
d. It must be bathed in prayer. (12)
The Apostle apparently recognizes that even when we attempt to show
love to one another, there are plenty of situations where we can be discouraged
with the results or outcomes.
The only way to overcome the negative situations we meet as we try to
demonstrate love is to bathe every action in prayer. That will enable us to
experience joy that is inspired by hope, and to endure even when our efforts
have resulted in tribulations (troubles).
e. It must be evident in service. (13)
In this verse, Paul defines one of the practical ways that love should
be expressed among us – showing hospitality and meeting needs of other
believers as we become aware of them.
ii.
Love is demonstrated to non-believers. (14-21)
It is fairly plain to see that verse 14 begins to talk about our
interactions with non-believers because of the reference to “those who
persecute you.” It is possible to be persecuted by other believers I suppose,
if it is done in ignorance, but Paul is probably speaking about those who
genuinely oppose the Christian faith.
a. It is counter-cultural. (14, 17a)
In verse 14 and the first portion of verse 17, Paul is urging the
Christians to do something that is completely and totally abnormal for most
people – i.e. bless those who persecute you, and don’t seek revenge.
These instructions certainly mirror the message of Jesus when He spoke
of the ways we are to treat our “enemies.”
Please understand, dear friends, if we are going to be genuine
followers of Jesus Christ, our faith must be lived out in ways that goes
completely against what is “normal” in the eyes of the world.
b. It identifies with conditions of others.
(15-16)
When we live out the kind of love that God has and the kind of love
that Jesus preached, then we will identify and empathize with the feelings and
situations of people around us.
We will truly rejoice with those who rejoice, and we will weep with
those who weep.
Verse 16 emphasizes the idea that we are to be so filled with humility
that our hearts are literally in tune with those around us. We are not
arrogant, super spiritual, self-righteous snobs, but we are identifying with
the feelings and desires of others.
Religious pride and a haughty spirit certainly damages not only our
reputation, but our Lord’s reputation and it hinders our ability to effectively
bring others to Him.
c. It plans for opportunities to serve. (17b)
The word “provide” (KJV), is a word that means to perceive beforehand;
consider in advance; foresee.
(Wuest's Word Studies) …the translation conveys the sense of
providing honestly for ourselves and our families.
“things honest” – goodness that is obvious in appearance.
(Wuest's Word Studies) That is, the Christian is exhorted to take
careful forethought that his manner of life, his outward expression conforms
to, is honestly representative of what he is as a child of God.
d. It seeks peace rather than conflict. (18)
Living in peace with all men is the goal of the genuine Christian that
lives out the love of Jesus.
Paul’s statement seems to imply that it is not possible to be at peace
with some people because they will not have it so. But, that doesn’t relieve us of our responsibility to seek peace
everywhere and every time we can.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Do you wonder why Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers?” “Making peace” is usually much more difficult than “keeping the peace.”
e. It seeks reconciliation rather than
revenge. (19-21)
Finally, Paul urges his Christian brothers and sisters to do away with
any thought of revenge against those who have mistreated them or wronged them.
If you “avenge yourself” (v. 19), you will have been overcome by evil
(v. 21)
When he says, “give place to wrath,” he is saying we need to step back
and allow God to take care of the situation. “Pay backs” and “vengeance” are
His responsibility. We need to let go and leave it to him, even if He chooses
not to “punish” to the extent we think is appropriate.
Conclusion:
Well, we have come to the end of chapter 12 and I don’t know about you,
but I feel like I still have a lot of growing in grace to do in order to live
up to all these qualities.
Let me be bold to say, that we should not just shrug this off and
excuse our selves by saying, “Oh well, no one can live up to that standard
anyway.”
No, as genuine people of faith, we need to be digging deeper and asking
God for His grace to become more and more like Jesus in our daily interactions
with other Christians and with the people of the world around us. Amen? Amen!
I think there is a hymn that would be an appropriate testimony and even
a prayer for all of us.
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