Romans 12:9-21

SCRIPTURE

Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To 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.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

COMMENT

For someone who preaches against those who would have us live up to a law standard, Paul sure likes to tell people what to do. But look at what he is asking. Love, don't be lazy, rejoice, pray, be generous, etc. Perhaps he is not telling us what to do, but instead is sharing what a living sacrifice looks like. If repentance is more than just turning your back on sin, if it is turning your sights on God, then people who have spent their lives living for themselves need to hear this.

Jesus spent a lot of time telling people how to act as well. Look at the Beatitudes, in fact, the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus takes the law to the next level. Not only is adultery wrong, but to look at a woman lustfully is too. This is a standard no one can accomplish! It is also a standard that requires a change of heart.

Paul seems to echo this kind of thinking toward the end, where he talks about not repaying evil for evil, but overcoming evil with good. This is not a natural human tendency! It requires a change of heart and a change of thinking. It is why we need instruction on what it means to call ourselves Christians.