The Wednesday Word 12.08.2021

 

Romans 12:9-18 New Living Translation

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Paul is writing to the young church in Rome. His plan was to get back to Jerusalem with funds he had raised for those in need and then head out for Rome. The Book of Romans is considered to be his introductory primer to them about righteousness: our lack of it and the perfect righteousness of Jesus.

Chapter 12 begins to lay out specific instructions. Paul says that because of Jesus’ righteousness we are able to get into a right relationship with God Almighty. John Wesley calls it justification. We are enabled to grow our faith because of the incredible faith of Jesus. In Paul’s words, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship (Romans 12:1).” Wesley would call the process of living that kind of life sanctification. If you think about it, Chapter 12 is a lesson on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and the Beatitudes (Luke 6:17-49). As Jesus said in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” The Romans couldn’t pick up a copy of the New Testament like we can. If that isn’t a habit of yours, this is the best time of year to start…something to pray about.

Don’t forget to look for the Lord today. Vicki H.

 

                                                                                  Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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