The Apostle Paul wrote those words to the church in Rome in 58AD. This book was not written specifically to individuals, rather to the community — how we function together on this journey of faith; in the midst of a likeminded community. Paul starts this chapter off with an encouragement to put others first — “Dont think more highly of yourselves than you should.” He later talks about living in peace, being hospitable, giving to strangers, and taking care of each other. This whole chapter contains so many practical instructions about the walk of faith; of working out salvation; and how the importance of interconnected community life impacts each individual who is a part of it.
As I read through these, so many of them are not easy practices. They require discipline and intentionality. You can seriously unpack each statement and write a whole page (or more) for each one and still find more to write about. So today, on 12/12, I rejoice in hope. And in the midst of trials – even the every day small stuff like car breaking, or unexpected bills or a friend who is dealing with a serious physical issue – I practice patience. And wrapping both of those up in faithful prayer is important. Like James says, the faithful and fervent prayer of a man seeking righteousness is significant.
So from the top, here are 21 thoughts in chapter 12 from Paul to the church at Rome.
- True worship comes from living wholeheartedly with all you are.
- Dont copy the immature patterns of what everyone else is doing. Be transformed in your minds and that will affect how you live and how you understand the amazing desires and destinies inside of you
- Don’t think you are better than you are. Be honest in evaluating yourself, especially in your faith.
- Our physical bodies all have different pieces and parts with a purpose of function.
- So it is that individually, we are many pieces of one body and need to work together.
- Each of us has different gifts and abilities. If you get words of life to speak to people, don’t be afraid! Tell them!
- If you serve and are hospitable, do it well. If you are able to teach, teach well.
- If you are an encourager, we need you! Be encouraging! If you love giving, giver generously. If you are in a position of leadership, take that responsibility seriously. And if you are a kind soul, show kindness with gladness.
- When it comes to love — truly love others. Hold to what is good; toss away the bad.
- Honor and love go hand in hand, so do it genuinely.
- Don’t be lazy. Work hard with enthusiasm in your service.
- Rejoice in hope. Be patient in trials. Be faithful in prayer.
- When people are in need, help them. Be eager to be hospitable.
- When you get bullied, mocked, or hurt by someone, bless them and pray for them.
- Laugh with others when they laugh; cry with them when they cry.
- Live in harmony. Don’t be proud to enjoy hanging out with ordinary people. Don’t think you know everything.
- Don’t pay back bad with bad. Be honorable in all you do.
- Live in peace with everyone to the best of your ability.
- Don’t get focused on revenge. Leave that to God to deal with. And he will.
- Instead… if your enemy is hungry, buy him a meal. If he’s thirsty, buy him a drink. Doing so will cause their head to spin.
- In the end, don’t let evil win. Evil gets destroyed by love…. which ultimately wins.
Now that’s a great ending.
Great post Joshua. The recurring message I seem to hear from St. Paul and many others, especially in this chapter, is a call to give charitably. We often forget that almsgiving is more than giving money to the poor. He lays out here several practical ways we can show the love of Christ and serve. Any time we offer ourselves up in the Spitit of Christ and love, we give alms. This is powerful and a good challenge. It is necessary for the Christian faith to give of oneself.
I find myself caught up in anxiety when I dont have very much, or when I struggle to provide. But when I do have much I forget those who are in need. This should not be so. We ought to pray for hearts of charity and of love. It is often in this process when we truly worship, identifying however slightly with our heavenly Father who offered Himself up for all.