The Marks of the Christian Life
December 4, 2024
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Romans 12:9-21
It’s such a joy to gather together in the Word, especially when the world tries to crowd out our time in it. We’re refreshed and hungry for the truth of God’s Word. We’ve been working our way through this passage, and today we dive deeper into the practical aspects of Christian living as outlined by Paul.
Romans 12 marks a shift from the doctrinal foundations of the first 11 chapters into the practical application of the Christian faith. As much as the earlier chapters deal with justification and the great doctrinal truths of salvation, this section of Romans focuses on how we are to live in light of those truths.
1. The Foundation for Christian Living (Romans 12:1-2)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)
Before we dive into this section, let’s remember that all practical Christian living begins with our dedication to God. Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, and it is only upon this foundation that everything else is built. From our personal walk with God, to our relationship with the church, to how we respond to others, all of it flows from our complete surrender to Him. The rest of Romans 12 answers the call for us to be living sacrifices.
Bryan Chapell tells of two brothers who were trapped in a collapsing sandbank. As searchers rescued the younger brother, they ask him where the older brother was located. He said, ‘I’m standing on his shoulders.’ Like that brother, we live as ‘living sacrifices,’ standing on Christ’s shoulders for strength and salvation and others may stand on ours.
who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (Galatians 1:4)
2. The Personal Circle: (Romans 12:9–13)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9–13)
In the first part of this passage, Paul addresses the believer’s personal conduct. In verse 9, he tells us to “let love be without hypocrisy,” to “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good.” These are basic but foundational principles for Christian living. True love, Paul emphasizes, is not superficial or self-serving, but it must be genuine. As we grow in our relationship with God, our love for others should reflect the same authenticity.
The Greek word for “abhor” used by Paul in Romans 12:9 is “?p?st????” (apostygeo). This word is a compound of two elements: “?p?” (apo) – meaning “from” or “away from.” “st????” (stygéo) – meaning “to hate” or “to detest.”
Paul pairs “abhor” with “hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9), creating a sharp contrast between love for what is good and hatred for what is evil. This contrast shows that love for God and His ways requires an equally strong rejection of everything that opposes His will.
?p?st???? calls believers to not only avoid evil but to loathe it, with the understanding that a passionate commitment to goodness requires a deep and active rejection of all that is immoral or contrary to God’s righteousness.
Verse 10 expands this personal love to include our Christian family. We are called to be affectionate, to honor others above ourselves, and to serve with zeal. This love is not just for our fellow believers, but extends to everyone, even to those who may not show love to us in return.
Verse 12 reminds us that as we serve God and others, trials will come. These trials are an inevitable part of life, but they must not lead us to despair. Instead, we are to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfast in prayer, keeping our eyes on the glory that awaits us.
In the midst of the horrors of World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her family, though living under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands, chose to live out a radical form of hospitality. They welcomed strangers—Jewish refugees—into their home, offering not just a place to stay, but safety, food, and love. By doing so, they followed the command of Romans 12:13, which urges us to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
As Nazi forces rounded up Jewish families, many fled for their lives, desperate for any form of sanctuary. Corrie and her family didn’t simply offer a bed to sleep in; they risked their own lives, their home, and their safety to protect these innocent people from certain death. In a world that was consumed by fear and self-preservation, the ten Boom family’s sacrificial hospitality became a beacon of hope. They didn’t just help the “worthy” or “safe”—they extended God’s love to complete strangers, those who were in urgent need of help, even if it meant risking everything.
When they took in those they did not know, Corrie and her family embodied the hospitality Paul writes about in Romans 12:13. This was not an easy act of kindness. It wasn’t about having extra space or resources. It was about seeing those who were suffering as human beings—made in God’s image—and offering them love and protection without regard for the personal cost.
It wasn’t just a physical act of hospitality, but a profound display of radical obedience to God’s call to love strangers, even those who might never be able to repay them. When Corrie and her family were arrested and taken to a concentration camp, it was a result of their willingness to shelter strangers in their home, yet they remained unwavering in their belief that God’s love compels us to act, even in the most difficult circumstances.
After the war, Corrie continued to speak about this kind of radical hospitality. She explained how this was not just an occasional act of kindness, but a lifestyle of sacrificial love that should mark the life of every Christian.
Why do you think the Bible stresses the importance of showing hospitality to strangers? What can we learn from this in our current cultural context?
What are some practical ways we can open our homes and lives to others, particularly in a time when people may feel more isolated or distanced from one another?
3. The Circle Widens: How to Treat All People (Romans 12:14–16)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:14–16)
As Paul continues in verses 14 through 16, he widens the circle to include all people—believers and non-believers alike. Verse 14 tells us to “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” This is a radical teaching, one that runs counter to human nature. When faced with persecution or mistreatment, the world’s response is retaliation. Yet, as Christians, we are to respond with blessing. This is not just a passive attitude, but an active choice to seek the well-being of those who harm us.
Jesus Himself modeled this response during His crucifixion when He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This principle, echoed in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28, reminds us that our distinctiveness as Christians lies in our ability to love those who hate us, to do good to those who do evil to us, and to pray for those who persecute us.
In verses 15 and 16, Paul calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This is an expression of genuine Christian empathy. In a world increasingly marked by indifference and selfishness, the believer is called to be emotionally present with others, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
Verse 16 challenges us not to be proud or elitist but to “associate with the humble.” It is a call to be humble in our interactions with others, regardless of their status or wealth. Christianity does not endorse a social hierarchy; instead, we are to treat all people equally and value them as God does.
How does humility play a role in living in harmony with others? How can we fight against pride in relationships, particularly when it comes to those we might consider ‘beneath’ or ‘above’ us socially?
4. The Final Circle: Living Peaceably with All (Romans 12:17–21)
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
Paul’s final circle in verses 17 through 21 focuses on how we respond to personal enemies. In verse 17, Paul repeats the principle: “Repay no one evil for evil.” This is a direct command against the natural instinct of vengeance. When wronged, we are to resist the urge to retaliate, knowing that God will bring justice in His time.
In verse 18, Paul acknowledges the difficulty of this command when he says, “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” This is a practical acknowledgment that peace may not always be possible. Some people may not want peace, and we cannot control their actions. But as much as it depends on us, we must strive for peace, without compromising the truth of God’s Word.
Verse 19 further emphasizes that vengeance is God’s alone. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35). As believers, we are not called to execute judgment or revenge. That is God’s responsibility, not ours. Our role is to trust in God’s justice and leave all matters of vengeance to Him.
In verses 20 and 21, Paul provides the antidote to vengeance: when your enemy is hungry, feed him; when he is thirsty, give him drink. By responding to evil with kindness, we “heap burning coals on his head,” not as a means of punishment, but as a means of shaming the evil done. In doing so, we overcome evil with good.
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
In a bustling office environment, there was a manager named Sarah who was known for her calm demeanor and kindness. Her team, however, was often at odds with each other. There was a lot of tension in the air—disagreements over deadlines, frustrations about the amount of work, and even personality clashes
.
One day, Sarah’s team was especially stressed. A major project was behind schedule, and the team was growing increasingly frustrated with each other. Sarah noticed this and saw an opportunity to make a difference. Instead of jumping in with strict instructions or reprimands, she decided to take a different approach.
She called the team into a meeting, but instead of discussing the problems or frustrations, she asked each person to share one thing they appreciated about their coworkers. At first, it felt a little awkward, but soon, one by one, they started mentioning small acts of kindness and hard work they’d observed in each other.
Sarah then shared her own appreciation for the team and acknowledged the pressures they were under. She reminded them all that they were on the same team and that the success of their project depended on their ability to support and encourage each other—not to argue or add to the tension.
Over the next few weeks, Sarah continued to create moments for her team to connect on a personal level—whether it was a team lunch or taking a moment to simply check in with each other. Gradually, the team began to work together more harmoniously. Even when the stress levels rose, they started to approach each other with more understanding and patience.
One afternoon, Sarah’s team was once again dealing with a last-minute crisis. But this time, instead of snapping at each other, the team members approached the situation calmly, working together to solve the problem. As the deadline loomed, they even took a few moments to support one another and share a laugh.
In what ways can we actively pursue peace in situations where others may not be receptive or open to reconciliation? How can we balance peace with holding firm to biblical truth?
In these verses, Paul paints a picture of the radical and countercultural lifestyle to which we, as Christians, are called. We are not to live according to the world’s standards, but by a higher calling—one that reflects the heart of Christ. This is how justification by faith touches our everyday lives. It changes the way we interact with our fellow believers, with our families, and even with our enemies.
