Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,
We are in Romans 12, verse 10. This section of Scripture, as I have said before, is one of the most practical in the Bible. It is very simple and very easy to understand. Not much I can do as far as exposition is concerned that Paul has not done. He has made his point very clear. As I read Romans 12:9-21, (see below) however, my eyes always seem to fill with tears. I don't know about you but the world that I live in and most of the people I know are not this way. Believers have the desire to live this way but their execution like mine is far from perfect. None of us, sadly, will get it right until we meet Him face to face....until we awaken in His image. I so want to be this way to those around me, though. Paul says this in Philippians and truly it is the heart attitude that we need in this life to live for Christ.
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Romans 12:9-21call us to a supernatural type of living that can only be done by the Spirit of God living inside us. Outside of Christ this type of living is impossible. Do you remember the "therefore" at the beginning of this chapter and what it meant? Because of all that was written in the previous 11 chapters...because of what He has done and the promises we have in Him, we are to respond by presenting ourselves to God as living sacrifices. We are to put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. We are to look and act differently from the rest of the world. Our conduct should be worthy of the Gospel of God.
We already looked at loving genuinely, hating evil and gluing oneself to what is good. Verse 10 tells us to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. John MacArthur says that the words kindly affectionate in the Greek is made up of two words meaning love. So it could say be lovingly loving. Here is the meaning in the Strong's: cherishing one’s kindred, especially parents or children); fond of natural relatives, that is, fraternal towards fellow Christians: - kindly affectioned.
I think on it this way...we are to cherish and treat those around us as gently and kindly as a Mom treats a nursing infant. Do you see how unnatural that would be in our flesh. I know how I felt about each one of my nursing infants...I do not feel that way naturally for those that God puts in my path...if I manifest that kind of love at all it is the Spirit of God inside me...not me. It is also the love I feel toward other like-minded believers. I could be in a room with a group of strangers, but if they are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ it does not take long at all to develop common ground and a unique sense of unity and love with them because of our fellowship in Him. It is definitely supernatural...I have never encountered its likeness in the world. Matthew 18 says this:
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."
If you receive another believer, you are receiving the Lord Himself. I have seen the kindness and love that Christ Jesus has for us manifested in my church family over and over again. It has been demonstrated to my own family many times. They have lovingly loved us. It is one of the precious benefits of being a child of God. Beautiful, like minded fellowship with other believers.
Paul goes on to say with brotherly love. John MacArthur says that the verse could read then like this. "Be lovingly loving with one another with loving love." I really don't think we have much space in that sentence for argument or loophole.
1 John 5 says this: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." Pretty simple...a believer will love God and love those who belong to Him. We are to be tender-hearted toward one another and forgiving. We are to love one another in truth and sometimes we have to say some hard things in loving them truthfully. Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 4.
"I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"
Loving parents not only love their children fervently but warn, exhort, encourage, speak the truth, and make sure they keep the right company. A loving parent sets an example that a child can imitate...and there should be no disparity between that parent's word and deed. A loving parent will speak gently and in love but at other times speak with a rod of discipline. This is how we are to be in the family of God. We are to love one another in truth. Sometimes our love will be caring..sometimes concerned...sometimes confrontive, but it should always be led by the Spirit of God whose love is shed abroad in our hearts.
The second part of this verse takes our love even a step higher. It says that in honor we are to prefer one another. We are to put the other ahead of ourselves. Still reading?...Good. Love like this takes humility. We are to jump at the chance to be first not in what we want, but in giving another what they desire. We are to prefer them over ourselves. We are to love them sacrificially. Jesus is our ultimate example here.
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." --Philippians 2:1-11
We need the mind of Christ to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love and to prefer their needs to ours. A mind of humility, submission, meekness and fervent love. Christ is our example. He has done so much for us. Our constant desire should be to please Him, to walk in obedience to Him and worthy of the grace and mercy He has shown us.
Show others Christ by giving honor, giving preference, giving care, and meeting the needs of those He has placed in your life. Give yourself completely to Him and " "Be lovingly loving with one another with loving love."
Love
Mom
Romans 12:9-21
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
