Lesson 29
R
omans 12: 9-21, Christian Living
VV 9-13, 9 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 rejoicings in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
On Christian living, Paul exhorts his audience, and us, to love, avoid hypocrisy, hate evil, embracing what is good, be kind, compassionate, honourable, diligence, spirit filled, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations, steadfast in prayer, service, giving to the needy and hospitable to others.
VV 14-16, 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.
Paul exhorts his audience and us, to bless those who persecute us, rejoice with those who rejoice, compassionate, unity in purpose, humility, willingness to associate with the humble, and others centred.
Matthew 5:11, ”blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me”. Bless, not curse, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Matthew 5:3-4, ”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. Do not be disruptive, do not be over ambitious, be humble, do not be self-righteous.
VV 17-21, 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,” 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul exhorts his audience and us, not to repay evil with evil, to live in harmony with all people if this is possible. We are not to take vengeance but leave vengeance to God. We are to feed our enemy if they are hungry and give them a drink if they are thirsty. We are not to be overcomed by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Paul quoted Deut. 32:15 and Proverbs 25:21. .
Deut. 32:35, ”Vengeance is Mine and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’’
1 Thessalonians 5:15 ”See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone”.
1 Peter 3:9 ”Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it”.
Matthew 5:38-39 ”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also”.
Proverbs 25:21, ”If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink”.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to bless those who persecute us, pray for those who hate us, and live in harmony with others if this is possible. Help us to apply and put into practice, Paul’s teaching on Christian living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.