Romans 12:9-21

In the last 20 or more years Holy Spirit always brings me full circle to this!

Micah 6:8

Be fair to everyone

Extend mercy to everyone

Always be humble….it is all about Jesus and His righteousness not mine.

 The new testament presents love as the defining ethical standard for Christians. Paul assumes that his audience already shows love to one another; he calls for their love to be genuine and sincere. Hospitality refers to an extension of generosity  to strangers. Christians are called to share in both the joy and suffering of fellow believers, since they are members of one body of Christ. Although believers will encounter opposition, Paul urges them to live peacefully,  not taking revenge upon those who wrong them. Paul encourage believers to show their enemies undeserved kindness, which might elicit a response of shame and perhaps repentance. 

Good will prevail over evil when Christians respond to their enemies with love and blessings instead of revenge and curses. Faithlife Bible.

transform (Gk. metamorphoō) Strong’s #3339: The Greek word means “to change form,” as does the English derivative metamorphosis. In the NT, this word is used to describe an inward renewal of our mind through which our inner spirit is changed into the likeness of Christ. Paul told the Roman believers: “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds”. As our Christian life progresses, we should gradually notice that our thought life is being changed from Christlessness to Christlikeness. Transformation does not happen overnight. Our regeneration is instantaneous, but our transformation is continuous. We are conformed to Christ’s image gradually as we spend time in intimate fellowship with Him.

There are at least four Greek words for love, not all of which are used in the NT. (1) The highest form of love is agape. This is a self-sacrificial love. It involves an act of the will whereby one seeks the best for another. Agape is the Greek word philos which means “affectionate regard,” and the derived form philadelphia is translated brotherly love in this verse. (3) Philostorgos means “family affection” and is translated kindly affectionate in this verse. (4) Eros means physical love and does not occur in the NT. 

The greatest proof of the truth of the gospel message and of the reality of Jesus’ love is the love believers show to each other. Christ is the model for such self-sacrificial love. Hospitality means “love of strangers.” The primary reference is to housing travelers, though all forms of hospitality are included. The progression in this verse is significant. As we dedicate ourselves to meeting the needs of our fellow believers, we will have opportunities to serve strangers and thus witness to them about the love of Christ. Because believers are a body, when one part hurts, everyone feels the pain; when one is joyful, everyone can rejoice. Christians cannot be indifferent to the suffering or joy of their fellow believers. The believer’s aim should be to live peaceably. But sometimes peace is not within our control; this is why Paul limits the command. Freed from vengeance, believers can give themselves to mercy, even toward their enemies. By acts of kindness, the believers will heap coals of fire on the head of their enemies, perhaps bringing shame and repentance to them. It is possible for an enemy to become a friend. This is the phenomenal power of God’s love that believers are connected to through Christ.

A Christian should not concentrate on the evil in others, but instead should focus on what is good. By doing so, we encourage others around us to aspire to the good. NKJ Bible.

Romans 12:9-21

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

 20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Psalm 34:14 | Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Matthew 5:44 | But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Leviticus 19:18 | You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.