Loving ain’t easy!

November 23, 2005

Although I’ve already commented on Romans 12:9-21, a recent Bible study lesson at church caused me to realize again how it capsulizes the requirements for living a good life.

Conduct in Love

12:9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 12:10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. 12:11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. 12:12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. 12:14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 12:20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It would be hard for any well meaning person to argue against these precepts, except perhaps for the dilemma that “heaping burning coals on his head” may pose. I’m not going to go there, but I would be interested in hearing what those enigmatic words might suggest to you.

In the approaching season of “making a list and checking it twice,” this list should be kept in mind.

Dave, thinking that he needs to revisit this passage often.

Posted by Dave | Filed Under Bible