Romans 12:09-21 Love without Pretend
The definition of love by Paul appears in two letters, one is here and another is in 1 Corinthians. Of course, he cites various occasions to explain the love of Christ and the love among the disciples.
Love sincerely - Romans 12:9-15
Paul urges the Romans, Christians at Romans to show love with sincerity. Love in action with true involvement and grace. Hate evil, evil people, evil plots and designs. Devoted to one another in brotherly love. He knew the kinds of love that existed in his time and among the Greeks. Therefore, cautiously he writes with brotherly love. Love honors one another above each other. He further narrates that divine love motivates a person to show hospitality, and zeal and to keep spiritual fervor. Love endures, suffers, and prays. Love blesses our neighbors including those who hate us. Love motivates us to share our resources with one another. Love makes a person bless one another. Love helps a person to rejoice with others and share the losses. Christ’s love is the model for all of us, even for brotherly to one another.
Live Harmoniously – Romans 12:16-17
Secondly, Paul moves on to motivate the readers to live in harmony. Politics of polarization and hatred had existed even in those days. Therefore, Paul wrote to the saints in Rome to live in Harmony with one another within the Church and also outside the Church. He talks about associating with people of different positions, capacities, talents, and life circumstances. He commands not to be conceited. The projection of the self and being proud leads to division and destruction of the church and community. He further challenges the saints to do everything right in the sight of all. Doing approved things even before men. We are not only accountable to God but even to every man who follows us and leads us. We do not exist alone but with one another. Our faith is community faith and demands truth, integrity, and faithfulness.
Live Peacefully– Romans 12:18-21
Paul had a tough time maintaining peace with his colleagues and even his leaders. He was bold enough to scold Peter when he pretended and not stood up to the mark of his own preaching and standards set. He departed from Barnabas over the issue of Mark being the partner in the Second missionary journey. The divisions in the churches were crystal clear on those days an account of doctrines, allegiance to the leaders, and to the mission field. Paul had explained that no one was redeemed by any individual, only the blood of Christ was powerful to save people. He advises not to take revenge but wait for the Lord to act on behalf of you. You may have come a crossed the loss of many things including your name. But be faithful till the end. He ends this passage with the challenge to feed the enemy when he is hungry, give him water when he is thirsty, and always overcome evil with good. Never repay according to the wickedness but only wait upon the Lord. Let Christ be your model.
Discussion:
1. Give modern definitions of love and how to retain the love of God.
2. How we can promote harmonious living with Christ’s love without.
3. Is it possible to Live at Peace with everyone?
(Kindly refer this cite for further studies on Romans, by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan +91 9443586008)
