Romans 12 v 9 – 18

9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honouring one another. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 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. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

Romans 12 v 9 – 18 (Net Bible)

Going through a tough time at the moment and I was presented with these verses this morning. It is a challenge to be so devoted to Jesus that these verses ring true in your life. We are not alone though, the Holy Spirit, God himself living in us, sent by Jesus God himself, is there empowering us and giving us the strength to do God’s will as laid out in these verses. Not sure about you guys but I lose sight and don’t listen too well when under pressure. I am sorry that I am so easily distracted that I forget the bigger picture.

The Africa Bible commentary has a helpful introduction to these verses:

This section contains a long list of short instructions to Christians on how to live
harmoniously in society. These instructions call for a peaceful attitude and
coexistence in the church (12:10, 13, 16) and in society at large (12:14, 17-21).
The most important virtue for a harmonious life is love, which must be genuine,
not hypocritical (12:9a). The remainder of this section is an elaboration on what
genuine love is. In other words, 12:9-21 defines true or sincere love.

Africa Bible Commentary

True love demands that we care for one another wholeheartedly and put the interests of others before own interests. Have I done this? I don’t know. In the conflict I am in I am certainly trying to protect myself and thus these verses are a rebuke and I need to seek God’s forgiveness and look to others to God. What I find frustrating in all of this though is that others in Church are protecting their own interests and why does God expect me to not behave in the same way. Because quite simply Jesus died on the Cross and it is because of his death, his love for me, his desire that I should follow him that I am where I am now. Put my own interests behind me and put Jesus first and the interest of others.

It is not a lazy gospel and Paul challenges us not to lag in zeal and to be enthusiastic in spirit. I need a change in attitude to help me focus on serving the Lord and to let the Holy Spirit fill me with his strength so that these actions will be wholeheartedly. I love you God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.