Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:9-10

  

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of God's Mercy, which covers Romans 12:1-16.  Building on my post yesterday, where I focused on Romans v12:3-8, this morning I review the v12:9-16 and the associated commentary. While the sub-heading of the text (ESV) refers to these verses as "Marks of the True Christian," the commentary indicates that irregardless of the subheading the implication and intent of these verses is for Christians to outwardly demonstrate lives that oppose conformity to worldly behavior - we are to be "counter-cultural."  Our renewed mind (v12:2) transforms our thinking and actions, enabling us to live this worldly-opposed life and God works through us, causing our obedience.  While we see a number of commands, including how we are to love and treat our "enemies" or those who persecute or treat us harshly, the over-riding command is to love others as God loves us (see John 13:34) - given all believers where at one point enemies of God (see Romans 5:10).  My commentary stresses that such love leads to action - empathy and compassion towards others (see 1 John 3:16-18).  We must also hate evil as God does. We must also live with zeal - not apathy!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that even while we were still enemies of God, You loved us and offered salvation for those who believe - what an amazing gift of grace!  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not deserving.  I have gossip, worry, harsh words, anger, etc. in my life.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. v15-16

Yesterday, I posted about how "a fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God".   We should desire to draw close God as well based on my scripture for today v15-16.

First we have a God who is - unlike anyone else - able to empathize with us because He has been tempted in EVERY way but did not sin.  He also knows everything about our thoughts and deeds yet He STILL loves us and for believers adopts us into His family.

We CAN approach Him in confidence.

See also posts here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has laid down His life for me - nailing my sin to the cross.  You know everything about me yet You still surrendered Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. v15

We all need someone who can understand and empathize with us and our experiences...good and bad.  This is a core basis of any relationship.  This is one of the aspects of Jesus Christ that makes it so easy to be in relationship with Him...He relates to all of our experiences and we can tell Him everything.  He knows everything about us anyway...sin and all.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and incredible God...I know You know everything about me, including my sin...and You came to die for me anyway!  How awesome and gracious are You.  You are full of gentleness, patience, compassion, mercy, etc.  I am so deeply grateful for all that You are and all that You have done and continue to do for me.  I am blessed well beyond what I deserve.  I am quick to anger, and slow to listen, selfish, etc.  Yet You love me....thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me overcome such sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me come to You daily and deepen my relationship with You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 9

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. v22

Lord, You came to seek and save the lost and Your charge all of your servants to do the same.  Here Paul encourages me to meet people where they are.  We should not be someone we are not but we should be in relationship with people and not an "outsider" to the extent that we cannot fully appreciate the circumstances in which people find themselves.  To win the hearts and minds of unbelievers we must be in relationship with others and appreciate their circumstances...so we can talk into their lives where they are.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...what an awesome God You are.  You knew everything about me...sin and all...yet You chose to come for me...to suffer and die for me.  You continue to serve me daily and I know You love me more than anyone on earth ever can.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and sacrifice...I am lustful, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, etc.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.