Instructions From the Book of Romans

I believe all of Scripture is equal in authority and inerrancy, but because God spoke to me first through the book of Romans it has a special place in my heart. I'm reading through it again and thought I'd share the beauty of chapter twelve, verses nine through twenty-one.

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

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

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

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.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

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.
  
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."    
                                                                                                          Romans 12:9-21
 

It's not natural for us to think this way.

Our fallen human nature wants to put self first and defend self all the time. Our nature wants to point to others who we think may need these verses for instruction, but what I've learnt through the years is that God gave His Word for the reader. Whoever is reading it, He wrote it for. God's Word is meant to be taken to heart by the reader.

I love these verses because they are filled with hope. Hope that we can follow after the ways of Christ.

Ponder them. Absorb them. Meditate on them. For they are the words of the living God.


"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4