Romans 12

The first verses of Romans chapter 12 have long been a couple of my favorite verses to meditate on and teach over the years. Most of the students who have passed through the junior high ministry at Maywood have heard me teach on these verses at least once. However, recently I have been spending time studying verses further down in the chapter; namely verses nine through 21.

Here are the verses from the English Standard Version (ESV):

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The heading in the ESV to this section of Scripture is “Marks of the True Christian”. How true! After the Apostle Paul’s first 11 chapters of Romans, detailing our sinfulness and God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, he transitions to the practical Christian life in the remaining chapters of the book. I find myself wondering how different our lives, ministries, churches, schools, workplaces, homes, neighborhoods……our world would look if we, as Christians would truly walk obediently according to His Word and by the power of His Spirit in us.

What if we really hated evil (and the appearance of it)? Would we tolerate many of the ‘entertainment’ choices that we don’t give a second thought to?

What if we strived to outdo one another in showing honor? Would petty office arguments cease as we put other’s needs ahead of our own?

What if we constantly prayed? How would the world be changed around us?

What if we gave to the needs of others? What if we loved those who persecute us? What if we didn’t think that we were better than others? The list can go on and on….

When one moves beyond Romans 12:1-2 (I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.) and study the rest of the chapter, we can see what our lives should look like as Christians. How I long that my life, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, would reflect the ‘marks of the true Christian’ as I give it to Him as a living sacrifice for all of my remaining days.