Paul gives us advice today on how to value the members of the body of Christ and how to treat those outside the church.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each Ifof you." (Romans 12:3) Christ didn't die for me because I was a great person; He died for me because I wasn't. Being saved by Christ doesn't make me any better than any other member of His family, for we are all saved by the same blood. In addition, being saved by Christ doesn't give me the right to look down on those who are lost, for I was once lost myself.
The Lord gives each of us various gifts and talents, and none of those give us the right to look down on anyone either. "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and those members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:4-7)
We are to genuinely love and help each other. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:9-13)
It's not just our fellow church members we must love. We must love those who don't know Christ, even those who behave in unlovable ways. Paul isn't telling us this is easy, but didn't Christ love us when we were unlovable? Doesn't it make us more like Him when we have the same attitude? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14) This is extremely difficult depending on the level of hurt someone has caused us. Many times I've tried and failed at praying for someone who has hurt me. My carnal nature wanted to see God pour out His wrath on them. The only thing I know to pray for in those cases is that they would come to know Christ and be changed from the inside out. If they come to Christ they will stop wanting to hurt others.
Now Paul tells us how to be a good friend. "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (Romans 12:14-16)
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil." (Romans 12:17a) Our human natures want to get that person back for what they did. But doing so harms our witness for Christ and might even hinder the lost from coming to Him. If the lost see Christians behaving like the world, what is there to attract them to Christ?
"Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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,' says the Lord. 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.'" (Romans 12:17b-20) I never really understood the part about "burning coals" until I heard Dr. Charles Stanley say on his radio program that our kindness to the wicked is intended to melt their frozen hearts. Our goodness to them might soften their hearts toward the gospel message.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) If anyone had reason to want to take revenge on his persecutors, it was the Apostle Paul. Yet he refused to sink down to their level. He would not let go of his dignity. He did not forget who he was in Christ.
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