Love in Action!

(guest devotion from my brother Chris)

Love in Action

Today, we consider Romans 12:9-21, a brief but powerful section of scripture.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Easily said, but done with much difficulty right?  I often tell members of my team that in order to achieve improved or different outcomes/results, they have to first change how and what they think.  Thoughts lead to words.  Words lead to actions.  Actions lead to habits.  Habits drive our outcomes/results.  The devil works hard to make our love insincere.  Through a personal commitment to grounding our thoughts in God’s word (DAILY bible readings, devotions, prayer etc…) we are doing the things needed to make our love sincere.

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Selfless service, as displayed by our perfect example, Jesus Christ, is at the core of our calling as Christians.  Putting the needs of others before your own, out of a desire to a) share the love of Christ as it has been shared with you and b) to show gratitude to your Lord for the gift of undeserved grace that you have received, is good medicine.  Selfless service helps you AND those to whom you are showing love.

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

If you start a fire, but leave it for hours without attention and feeding, it will fade away and die.  Your passion to serve, to give, to love, MUST be fed.  The single source of “food” for your faith is scripture.  Time in study, prayer and worship fuel your zeal and continuously ignite your passion to serve.

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

When asked by co-workers, neighbors, friends etc… how you are doing, is your response joyful in hope or sad in despair?  I cringe when I hear people say “I’m here.”  “I survived another day”.  “At least I’m not dead.”   Humor may be intended in these responses but I prefer to respond in a way that shares the joy bursting from my soul.  “I’m FABULOUS”.  “I’m blessed!”  “I’m amazing…”   These are my most common responses when asked how I am.  God is great and life is good.

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Generosity to those in need should know no limits, but we often stifle this notion before it gets started.  “We can’t afford it”.  “There are organizations who do that.”   “I’m too busy.”  Jesus served others every moment of his earthly life, and now spends eternity championing our cause to His Father.  His example is our guide.  We are to tirelessly, ceaselessly and gratefully seek out those who are in need, and then to do whatever we can to help.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

This is where I fall short most often.  I react in anger to those who hurt me.  I give in to Satan’s incessant urgings… “You don’t have to take that!”  “You know more than they do!”  “You are louder than they are...just shout them down!”   Jesus whispers, “I forgave you so that you know how to forgive them.”  Dear God, give me the strength to bless all those who curse me and to pray for them daily!

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

There is a right time to celebrate.  Celebration, jubilance, sincere and heartfelt praise directed towards our Lord is not only acceptable, it’s expected!  There is also time for the other end of the emotional spectrum.  Loss, pain, sadness and grief are an important part of the human experience and God has told us that we are to take time to come to Him for solace, support and love when these times come.  The saying used to go that “God will never give you more than you can handle.”  I disagree.  I believe that God often allows more than you can handle to come into your life, as a gentle nudge and reminder to give ALL things to Him.  It is when we are on our knees that we are MOST strong.

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

Harmony in life, just as in music, takes practice.  We can’t just say that we want harmony, then fill our thoughts, words and actions with discord.  If I separate myself from the sinner’s that God has offered grace to because I believe I’ve earned it in some way, I am inviting discord and not practicing harmony.

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,”[d] 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.”[e]

This section echoes the command in verse 14 and elaborates upon it.  The most important command we are given is to love, unconditionally.   Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the wounded and love the unloved.  

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

One of my spiritual mentors and role models often reminded me that “You’ll never debate someone to faith”.  He was piercing directly to the heart of my sinful propensity to want to argue my way into and out of things.  Instead, this passage reminds us that we win through love.  Christ’s simple example to love first, love always, love unconditionally, is the clear path set before us.  

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