The title of today’s chapter is “Steps Toward Genuine Love” After all our consideration of what going on inside of us, what’s the result in terms of how we interact with others? The writer gives us several ideas…
1. See ourselves as being the whole people God is making us into. It’s easy to get stuck on what’s been in the past and what is broken. Better to set our eyes on what is renovated and whole because of Gods work in us.
2. Abandonment of all defensiveness. It reminds me of one of A. W. Tozer’s vows, “I vow never to defend myself” This abandonment frees me from so many behaviors like self-justification, evasiveness, deceit, and manipulation. Imagine the simplicity of simply being right before God and being whole and well and uninterested in the thousand little opinions that surround us each day.
3. That transformation allows us to move into a genuine love that flows out from us, even while the world is only offering “I love you if…” messages.
4. Then we recognize the use of our time here on earth is to bless and redeem. God has given us this ministry of reconciliation, to be part of sharing the good news that people don’t have to be estranged from God but can be reconciled to him through Christs sacrifice on the cross.
The book then makes a long list of images about this lifestyle of love from Romans 12:9-21. What a beautiful picture of a heart rooted in God and interacting with the world.
“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. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:9-21
Abandoning defensiveness, extending yourself in blessing to others!!
Truth, Grace, and Time 