Romans 12:9-21 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Romans 12:9-21. Let’s go!
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” 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.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
On verses 9-21: Paul’s advice to the Christians in Rome is just as applicable to us today. You can even turn these verses into a prayer, asking God to help you to love sincerely, hate what is evil, cling to what is good, etc. Each of these verses could be a sermon on its own, but here’s one lesson I learn generally from these verses: God will never ask you to do anything that He Himself isn’t willing to do, or something that He Himself has not already done. In fact, when you read Romans 12:9-21, don’t see it simply as a list of ways we ought to live. Even more, remember it’s a portrait of Jesus and how He lived his life on earth.
Despite us being rebellious and prideful sinners, Jesus showed us a sincere love (v9), an undying devotion (v10), and honoured us above himself when he took on human flesh and died on the cross for our sins (v10).
In his most difficult moments like at Gethsemane, Jesus never gave up on the mission his Father gave him, but kept his spiritual fervor serving God (v11).
Jesus was joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer (v12). He shared Himself with those in need, providing meals for the hungry, healing for the sick, and salvation for sinners (v13).
Jesus blessed those who persecuted and cursed him (v14). He showed compassion and empathy like no other (v15). Though perfect He humbled himself and associated with people of low position like us (v16). He never retaliated when sinned against. Instead he trusted his Father to avenge him and protect him (v17, 19).
Jesus did his part to live at peace with everyone. The fact that Jesus had his share of enemies, critics and traitors shows that not even Jesus could please everyone. No wonder Paul says “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (v18).
From Jesus’ life and from Romans 12:9-21 we learn that we can’t always control the way people treat us, but we can always control the way we treat others. So, as verse 21 says, like Jesus let’s not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As you can see, all of the things God calls us to do in Romans 12:9-21 are things Jesus His Son did already. Since we believe all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), we can consider Romans 12:9-21 a self-portrait of God. In inspiring Paul’s writing of Romans 12:9-21, God simply asks us to follow in Jesus’ steps with the help of His Holy Spirit working in us.
Jesus, I worship You. Because You lived out Romans 12:9-21 perfectly, You lived the most beautiful and amazing life. I pray that I would live out these verses well too, by Your power working in me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
