Love to All

Series on Romans

XV Spiritual Gain

C Graces

Text:12:9-21

Introduction

As we go through this 12th chapter of Romans we should bear in mind the development of Paul’s thought here. Charles Hodge summarizes it as follows, “The Apostle argues that Since we have been justified through grace, by faith in Christ, it is our first duty to surrender ourselves to God a living sacrifice, that there may be a saving change wrought in us and that we might be made serviceable in every way to our fellow men. We stand in relation not only to Christ, but to one another in Christ, and we are engaged to do all the good we can one to another and to act in conjunction for the common benefit.” Having reviewed our need for giving ourselves to God, and the use of our gifts in the body serving others, the Apostle continues in verses 9-21 to exhort us with regard to our personal conduct in all of our relationships. Thus the specific exhortations fall under four general categories or phases. In an ever-increasing circle, we move from personal attitudes to wide social applications. They are as follows: personal duties (v. 9); family duties (vv. 10–13); duty to other people in general (vv. 14–16); and duty to those who are avowed personal enemies (vv. 17–21). We consider them in this order and note that they call us to honesty, helpfulness, harmony and humility.

I Honesty

The Apostle begins with a simple injunction in verse 9, Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. The word translated sincere means genuine and in this context must be interpreted as not hypocritical which is its literal translation. Hypocrisy is pretending to be what you are not, and therefore the substance of this command is that believers must truly and honestly hate the bad in the world. Conversely we must cling to the good. The Greek word means be bound and interestingly the derivation of the English term “cling” is from the German and it means tangled. This reminds us of what Paul said in verses 1 and 2, especially verse 2, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. When we refuse to conform to the world we are hating the evil and when our minds are renewed we are tangled up in the good. That is honesty and sincerity in our profession of faith.

II Helpfulness

Paul next speaks of relations in the family, that is in the body of Christ in verses 10-13, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. All of these exhortations follow the counsel to give ourselves wholly to the Lord, and also wholly to others in the body of Christ using our gifts for the benefit of the body. However, the clause telling us, Honor one another above yourselves, might better be translated, “as for respect and kindness, go before each other.” Charles Hodge explains, “The word translated above does not appear with this meaning elsewhere. It strictly means “to go before,” “to lead,” and then figuratively “to set an example.” And the word translated honor may mean “deference,” “respect,” and even “kindness.” The sense of the clause may then be: “as for respect and kindness, going before each other,” or “setting an example to one another.” Eugene Peterson in the “Message” translates this “practice playing second fiddle.” Living, as we do, in a time when respect for others is at an all time low, a person’s Christian testimony will truly stand out if they set an example in respecting others. I should also note that the Apostle ends with the admonition that we should physically and materially help those in need, but notice he also says we help them spiritually through our own spiritual fervor, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. When you participate in the worship and service of the church you are strengthening and encouraging your brethren. When we come to church gatherings and you are absent we are discouraged.

III Harmony

Paul moves next in verses 14-16 to our relationships to the rest of men. We have a different relationship with people in the world and it is often adversarial. So the Apostle writes, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. We live in a culture that often focuses on getting back at the people who promote ideas and programs that are contrary to our beliefs. It is a fact that Christian leaders often vilify such people. In the world, persecution is the norm so Paul reminds us that, far from wishing that evil may overtake our persecutors, we must sincerely pray for their good. It is not sufficient to avoid returning evil for evil, nor even to banish vindictive feelings; we must be able sincerely to desire their happiness. Everyone who is acquainted with his own heart knows how hard this is for corrupt human nature. Yet this is the standard of Christian character shown in the Scriptures as Jesus says in Matthew 5:44, But I tell you; love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Living in harmony with such people requires that we care about their trials and tribulations, and we do not think that we are better than they are, and we are not proud or conceited.

IV Humility

The Apostle concludes in verses 17-21 with warnings against revenge, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This warning follows closely upon what the Apostle said in verses 14-16. There he speaks of living in harmony, and here he speaks of living in peace. We are ti do this with our enemies as well as with our friends. The eyes of the whole world are fixed upon the church and we have a testimony to maintain. You know how much damage has been done to that testimony by the cruel and thoughtless responses of Christian leaders in circumstances such as natural disasters. Some have brazenly offered the opinion that whole populations deserved punishment. It’s not up to us to decide! First of all we all deserve such punishments and secondly, Jesus clearly taught this in Luke 13:1-5 where the Jews had the same mistaken ideas, Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. In addition to living in peace with our enemies we are told one other very important thing here and it is, “Get out of the way.” Two things happen when you exact revenge. First, you are not leaving room for God’s wrath. Secondly your revenge is completely inferior to God’s. The coals of fire are symbolic of God’s judgment falling on the offender. It is fashionable to suggest that exacting revenge will not make you feel better. This is true, but it is purely humanistic and subjective. Objectively when we exact revenge our lack of trust in God gets in the way of the Lord’s administration of justice. Of course this may not be on our timetable, but it is certain that it will happen because, as Paul reminds us, the Lord says, It is mine to avenge; I will repay. This then is the way we live in love with honesty in our relationship to God, helpfulness to our brothers, harmony with the rest of men, and humility when we are wronged.