Daily Devotions – As much as it depends on you.

Daily Devotions – As much as it depends on you.

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul’s letters frequently teach Christians that being peaceful is one of the most important ways we show our love for God, and spread that love to others. Here in Romans 12, Paul begins by urging us to serve the Lord through our love, “honoring others above ourselves”. That is the true content of “spiritual fervor”. It is especially seen in how we act when we are persecuted or suffer evil of any sort. When the Christian suffers these things, he or she blesses, shares, does not take revenge. Give extra attention to v. 18, thinking of how you can make the extra effort, doing more than your fair share, to be at peace with others. As you do this, keep the vision of v. 21 in mind, trusting that God will use you to “overcome evil with good”.