Vol. 16 No. 32 | August 12, 2013
You have talked about it. You have prayed about it. You have asked God to show you your gift and to reveal His will for you to use you gift. You have surrendered your life to the One who created you. Everything is in place. It’s time to start living the life.
Romans 12:9-21 tells us what to do and how to do it.
Love must be sincere. Be genuine. Don’t say it if you don’t mean it. Be real.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Even if you are surrendered and working hard to please the Lord, maybe especially then, evil lurks very near. Hate it. Battle it by hanging on to what is good. Stay focused on good and avoid what is evil.
Be devoted to one another in love. Demonstrate your commitment to the Body. Think about them and respond to them through your sincere love.
Honor one another above yourselves. Get out of the way and put others in front of you. You do not need the attention. You are not what or who is important.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Keep your passion alive and strong. Do not allow the fire to go out.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Joy, patience, faithfulness. Always essential. The tendency is to lose the joy, become impatient, and stop praying. Don’t!
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Be generous with your brothers and sisters.
Practice hospitality. Be warm to people. Treat them with kindness. Be receptive to strangers and friends.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. When you are getting a bad rap, be nice. Don’t fall into the habit of talking badly about people, even if they don’t like you.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Be appropriate in your response and reactions to people.
Live in harmony with one another. Stop arguing and complaining. Get along with your brothers and sisters…the world is watching.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. As Paul said earlier, “Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought.” You are not all that special. Get over yourself.
Do not be conceited. Get over yourself.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. There’s that word again…evil. When it gets the best of you, you start wanting revenge. Don’t.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If you know what is right in the eyes of God, do it. Most will appreciate it. Even if they don’t, do what you can and live securely.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. You can’t please everyone, but do the best you can to keep the barriers down.
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. Don’t waste your time and energy trying to get revenge. God will handle it.
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.” Do what you can to be nice to all people, even the ones you do not like.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. There is that word again: Evil. Evil is all around. Do not let it get the best of you. You can control it by overcoming it with the Love of Christ in you.
It’s time to start living the life. You know how. You know where. All that is left is to start.
Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.
The only thing that comes to mind is OUCH! This one really stepped on my toes – thanks for reminding me of what I need to do. Love you.