Romans 12:9-18 Jesus is our example of how to live.

 Romans 15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

Jesus is our example of how to live. He was all-God but He lowered Himself as a man to be obedient to His Father in all areas of His life. He had compassion on all of humanity understanding that we are mere humans. The love of God for creation allowed Him to bear the ultimate sacrifice of His life in exchange for ours. No one love you more than God…no one! Carla

Romans 12:9-18

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.  (NKJV)

Love must be without hypocrisy. 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.

Paul uses this term, brotherly love, to emphasize the familial nature of the body of believers. Enduring in affliction can refer to any kind of hardship; however, Paul might have persecution in mind (Romans 12:14).

Hospitality refers to an extension of generosity to strangers.

Bless those who persecute reflects Jesus’ teaching, Paul calls for prayer on behalf of the persecutor (Luke 6:28).

Christians are called to share in both the joy and suffering of fellow believers, since they are members of one body of Christ.

Pay back no one evil for evil. This instruction seems to draw on the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 5:39). Although believers will encounter opposition, Paul urges them to live peacefully, not taking revenge upon those who wrong them. Faithlife Study Bible

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 used in verse 9. (2) The Greek word philos 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. 

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 (Philippians 2:3–8). Christians should not offer their service half-heartedly or in a lazy manner. Instead, Paul encourages the Romans to serve eagerly and in earnest.

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. we will have opportunities to serve strangers and thus witness to them about the love of Christ.

Bless means “to speak well of” or “praise. Because believers are a body, when one part hurts, everyone feels the pain; when one is joyful, everyone can rejoice. Christians cannot be indifferent toth  suffering or joy of their fellow believers. The word good in this verse means “morally good,” “noble,” or “praiseworthy.” This is the positive side of the negative command not to return evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9). The believer’s aim should be to live peaceably. The NKJV Study Bible

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, 

2 Corinthians 6:6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 

1 Titus 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 

It’s the little things that matter. So. What if we begin our day with this question; “In what ways today, can I be the giver—spiller, sower—of small gifts? The little gifts that nurture and inspire the human spirit, gifts that raise the flags of compassion and healing and restoration, and make a fellow human glad to be alive?”

And before we answer, let us remember that care of any kind—compassion and healing, spilling and sowing gifts of kindness and renewal—begins with self-care.

And that’s not always easy. To let ourselves be the recipient of gifts that replenish.

Parker Palmer’s guidance deserves to be read twice. “By surviving passages of doubt and depression of the vocational journey, I have become clear about at least one thing: self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.”

Yes. Self-care enables and empowers us to be care-givers.

Love is not something you have.

Love is something that has you. Sabbath Moments