Love In Action
BRD REFLECTIONS
Romans 12:9-21 and Psalm 142 (NIV)
(Irwin Seet, Steward, LCEC)
READ:
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:9-10
OBSERVE:
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul offers us instructions how we can demonstrate our love to fellow Christians (vs 9-13) and also towards our enemies (vs 14-21). Towards our fellow Christians, we are instructed to be devoted to one another and to honour one another above ourselves. We are also to share with fellow Christians who are in need and to practise hospitality towards them. Paul then goes on to give us clear instructions on how we should respond to our enemies by instructing us to bless those who persecute us and not to repay evil for evil. We are also reminded not to take revenge but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written in Deuteronomy 32:35 that “It is mine to avenge, I will repay”.
The chapter ends with instructions on how we can demonstrate love to our enemies by feeding them when they are hungry or giving them something to drink when they are thirsty. Such actions will heap burning coal on their heads – overcoming evil with good, serving to awaken their conscience that will hopefully lead them to repentance and ultimately, salvation.
APPLY:
Loving fellow believers may not always be easy for me because of social, philosophical or character differences that may exist. But I am instructed to love them because they are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and this love is to be exercised in my attitudes, deeds and words. I am reminded that not only am I to love them but to love them more than myself.
With regards to loving my enemies, my natural response to someone who has hurt or persecuted me is to get even by doing the same thing to them. My tendency is to want my pound of flesh and even wish for evil to befall my enemies. Jesus could have felt the same way when he was persecuted, mistreated, beaten and hung on the cross. But instead, he loved them and forgave them. In Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I have learnt in these verses that the right attitude for overcoming evil with good and not answering evil with evil is to trust that God is in control. I will trust in a God who knows all things and will settle this matter fairly in His perfect timing.
DO:
To my fellow Christians, I will
- honour them above myself
- share with those who are in need
- practise hospitality
To my enemies, I will
- bless those who persecute me
- feed them and give them water if they need it
- rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn
- live in harmony and peace with them
- not repay evil for evil nor seek revenge but leave it in God’s hands
PRAY:
Dear heavenly father, we thank you for showing us how to put love into action towards fellow Christians and also our enemies. On our own strength, it is so difficult for us to put others before ourselves and also to bless and love our enemies. But by the Holy Spirit’s enablement, we know that “(we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens (us)”. We pray that we will continue to turn to you and put our hope in you for we know that you have plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
