If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Romans 12:20

Last week we learned that we are not to avenge ourselves. We learned that God is the only one who can justly avenge. So if that is not something that we are to be part of, what should we be doing? Paul gives us some incredibly practical steps to take instead. If we are taking these steps, then we won’t have the time or the energy to be avengers. Did you notice the steps in verse 20? Give those who are against you food and drink. Care for them. Paul is quoting the words of Jesus here. In the book of Luke, Jesus said these words: “Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus knew that people respond to love. It is really difficult to hate people you pray for, feed and meet the needs of, because you begin to see what their hearts need and you realize who they are as humans. Paul finishes this verse with the statement, “By doing this, you are heaping fiery coals on their head.” The idea here is that the kindness shown to their unkindness will bring shame to them, and that sense of shame may change their heart. But even in that, we are not responsible for their response; that will be between them and God.

How well have you been loving those who are treating you unfairly?

Pastor Tim

Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.

Romans 12:19

To avenge means to inflict just retribution or punishment for a wrong or injustice, so order is restored.

After reading that definition, it is easy to see how a reasonable person might think that we, as Christ followers, should be involved in the process of avenging. I mean, aren’t we supposed to be in the middle of making things righteous? Doesn’t God call us to right living and standing firm for truth? The answer is a resounding, YES! We are called to that every day. But what is interesting about that is that, while God calls us to live that out personally and to be an example of right living, He never asks us to force others to conform or to make them become righteous. Why? That is a work that only He can do. It is heart work that happens by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit does His work, He becomes the one who determines when, how, and if the wrath of God needs to be enacted. The Godhead is the only one who can avenge in a just manner. Just think for a minute; if the judgment for your sinful behavior was left up to someone else, even if that person was a good friend, they would not and could not be completely fair. How could they be? They have a limited understanding of who you are and what you have done, they do not know your heart, and they are tainted by their own sin and selfishness. Their judgment of you would never be pure.

I don’t know about you, but I am incredibly thankful that I can leave the avenging up to God. He will always get it right.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”.

Romans 12:18

Let's just be upfront and honest as we start our conversation about this verse, that it is not always possible to live at peace with everyone. There are those who just don’t know how to live at peace, and unless there is some sort of chaos or emergency, they are lost and don’t know what to do with themselves. So they will create disequilibrium so they don’t have to face peace. Why? Why would anyone want to live that way? There are a few reasons that come to mind. First, if there is peace, then there is no excuse for the dysfunction they struggle with. If things are chaotic, they can point to the chaos as the reason for the struggle. Another reason for people not wanting peace is that the only way they can enter into a place of peace is by facing and dealing with the internal stuff that steals their peace. So, if you are trying to live at peace with them, you are in some ways forcing them to face their stuff. I think that is why Paul says, “as far as it depends on you;” you and I are unable to control how everyone else responds to our desire for peace.

Let's finish up with two thoughts about Christ followers and peace. First, this peace does not mean compromising truth to avoid offending others. It means we refuse to weaponize the truth. Instead, we stand firmly in the truth and trust it to do its own work in people’s hearts. Second, the peace here is the peace that comes from knowing God. This kind of peace is not a lack of friction or difficulty; it is stability in the middle of struggle because I am anchored to the solid foundation of Jesus. I am firmly established in who he is. That is where real peace comes from.

Pastor Tim

Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.

Romans 12:17b

This last half of verse 17 almost seems like an impossibility. How in the world do I please everyone? We all know pleasing everyone is not possible. So, why does Paul suggest something that can’t be done? The key to what is being said is in the first three words. “Give careful thought.” By the way, this is still really difficult. What Paul is trying to do is to slow us down enough to think through what we are about to do and realize there are consequences for our actions. Every decision we make, every word we say, and some words we don’t say have an effect on the people around us. All too often, we say whatever we want, not thinking about others. Paul is telling us that as Christ followers, we should be the most thoughtful people. Why? Because we have the mind and heart of Christ, “Set your minds on things above… for your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:2-3). What we need to understand is that Paul is not telling us this to make everyone happy; he is telling us this so we can be thoughtful and godly in our interactions. If we slow down and ask God to direct us and help us to honor others, then how they respond will be on them. Sometimes honoring others and having their best interest in mind means you will do things they may not like. If they choose to respond to a godly, thoughtful interaction in an ungodly manner, then that is on them, and they will need to take that up with God.

“Give careful thought” to your interactions with others this week.

Pastor Tim

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Romans 12:17a

Oh boy, this is a tough one. There is a good chance that you do not physically repay evil for evil, but if people experienced what you have thought about them, many would be hurting or dead. You know what I mean, the person who offended you in some way with their driving. The family member, friend, or co-worker who threw you under the bus for something you did not do. The time your words or actions were twisted and taken completely out of context and used against you or to hurt someone. You didn’t get back at them, or maybe you never even spoke up. But you sure plotted and planned in your mind all of the things you would like to say to them or do to them. Maybe you know things about them that could embarrass them, and you started plotting how you could let others know. Oh, you didn’t do it, but you would have liked to have had the opportunity. Maybe you are still planning how to get back at them, and you feel completely justified because you are in the right.

Paul in these short verses is pretty straightforward. Don’t do it! Don’t repay evil with evil. Why? Doesn’t it seem fair that if they did it first, they deserve it? Right? This verse is the practical working out of verses 9 and 10. Remember, Paul told us, “love without hypocrisy, love one another deeply and be the first to honor others.” Our example of that kind of behavior is Christ. He had every right to repay us with evil; instead He offered love, unconditionally. It did not matter the response of those he loved; he just loved. If we are plotting revenge, we will not be offering the love of God to others; both cannot live in the same heart.

Have you been plotting evil or just looking for ways to love others?

Pastor Tim

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 12:16c

This is such a thoughtful phrase. If you have spent much time with me in conversation, at some point you have more than likely heard me say something about the story playing in my head. We all have a story playing in our heads. It is the story of how we see ourselves, how we think others see us, and what we think others think of us, and often the story is incorrect. The reason for this is that our stories are built on our assumptions, and we are the editors of our assumptions. By the way, it is all but impossible to be a good editor of your own stuff. Why? Because you have a bias toward yourself, you think every thought you have is right. It is not, sorry. So then the question becomes, how do I get to the place where I have the proper story playing in my head? I believe that the only way this is possible is if I get to the place where I see myself as God sees me. Let me give you a few of the ways he sees you if you are a Christ follower. He sees you as his beloved child (1 John 3:1), forgiven (Acts 10:43), saved (Acts 2:21), one who has hope (Hebrews 10:23), and a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). Those are just a few of the ways God describes us as one of His own. Knowing who God is making me to be makes me realize that without Him working in me, I am nothing. I then began to see my value and ability according to what God wants to do in me. If I am attached to him, I will be wise in my understanding of myself. Jesus said the same thing this way, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” John 15:5

-Pastor Tim

Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble.

Romans 12: 16b

When I think about the verse we just read, the word that immediately comes to my mind is “gracious.” To be gracious means to be “courteous, kind, and pleasant.” It is impossible to be courteous, kind, and pleasant with people and be proud at the same time. In order to be gracious, we have to have a proper understanding of who we are. You see, pride often comes from a desire we have for people to see us as more than we really are. Pride most often is wrapped up in insecurity; pride is the masking mechanism used to hide deep-seated fears. Pride keeps me from being open and allowing people to get close to me. So Paul in this verse just makes it simple. Get over yourself, just don’t be proud, let your guard down, let people get close, and stop hiding. In order to live that way, without pride, find some people who are humble and godly and get close to them. Spend time with them, live life with them, let them speak into your life, let them correct you, encourage and challenge you. Be present with them. Be known to them and identify with them.

By the way, this is counter culture. This is counter to human nature. This will not come naturally to you or me. To live this way, we must allow the Holy Spirit free rule in us. We must be willing to yield ourselves to being molded into the image of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Tim

Live in harmony with one another.

Romans 12:16a

Harmony - agreement, unity in right relationship. When I read this little phrase by Paul, I immediately think, how? I mean, is that even possible? How do you get along with people who look at life differently from you? We are living in a time when people are majoring in minors. Let me explain what I mean. People seem to believe that what they believe about government, environment, animals, what type of energy we use, and our health care should determine whether or not we can be friends. In reality, all of those topics are just our preferences. In the light of eternity, they don’t affect our standing before God. I am not saying we shouldn’t care about those things, or that we shouldn’t be informed about them. What I am saying is that it is our personal relationship with God and our concern for others' relationship with God that should be our main focus, and we should be in harmony over that fact. All of those other concerns should not distract us or make us at odds with other believers. Someone has said it this way: “Keep the main thing the main thing,” the “main thing” being a person, God. So how do we live in harmony with each other? We live in harmony with God! The only way to care for, love, and show respect for people who don’t see the world the way we do is with the heart and love of God.

Are you in harmony with God, and as a result, others?

Pastor Tim

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

I really like this thought. It takes a lot of pressure off me. I know that sounds a bit strange. But it’s true. I don’t know about you, but I struggle sometimes to know how I should care for and show up for people. Are they looking for something deep and profound? Do they want me to have the answer or solution to what they are facing? What if I have never faced what they are facing? What if I don’t even understand what they are going through? Should I just stay away? Paul makes it simple. Are you ready for this? If people are happy, be happy with them. Show up and wholeheartedly celebrate what is making them full of joy; let go and enjoy just smiling with them. Then, when you show up, and they are crushed and in tears, allow yourself the pleasure of entering into their pain with them. I am not saying to own their pain; you can’t. But you can be sad, you can be a listening ear and a soft shoulder. All Paul is really telling us to do is to be present with people. In a day of electronics, to-do lists, and endless distractions, the simple ask Paul is making is the hardest thing for us to do. Be present.

Are you present with the people God has placed around you?

Pastor Tim

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14

Now Paul has lost it. I mean, if he had said, “Bless those that bless you,” that would make sense. It is the right and easy thing to do. But Paul tells us to bless those who are against us and desire to harm us. By the way, this reaction is proof of the indwelling Holy Spirit who lives in us. Remember way back at the beginning of Chapter 12 when Paul told us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice? This is part of that. Paul knows that the best way to show others who Jesus is is to be just like Jesus. That means we don’t need to defend our position or prove we are right; we simply need to be the best replica of Jesus we can be. We are to be a picture and expression of His grace and mercy. Proverbs 25:21 says it this way: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Bless him. What if we made a decision this week to counter every struggle with people by flooding them with overwhelming kindness? What if, instead of being sarcastic and critical, we gushed with genuine love and concern for them? What do you think would happen?

Pastor Tim

Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

Romans 12:13

This thought from Paul fits so well with his reminder to us about our gifts and the use of them. Remember, earlier Paul told us we have been given gifts from God (vs 4-8) and we are to use them for God. Now Paul gets to the practical part of using them. If you were questioning who to serve or when to serve, here you go. Look for saints with needs and help them. Now, let me pause for a moment and have a little side conversation with you. There are those with real needs and those with wants or needs because of bad decisions. This raises the question, how can I know who to help? Remember last week when we talked about prayer and being persistent in it? This is one of those places where conversations with God will bring clarity about who really needs help. I believe that if we are talking to and listening to God, He will make us aware by his Spirit of Christ followers who have needs. I also believe He will let us know how best we can help them.

The end of this thought is to be friendly and make people feel welcome. That is hospitality. Not just one time: chase after making people feel like they belong. If all of us here at MBC chased after making people welcome, a third service on Saturday night would not be enough; we would need to figure out a fourth service and maybe a fifth. Now wouldn’t that be something?

Pastor Tim

Be persistent in prayer.

Romans 12:12b

Prayer--our ongoing conversation with God. If we were to spend a little time looking through the Bible, we would find that prayer has multiple elements. One way that those different elements of prayer are explained is with the acronym ACTS. A- adoration, C- confession, T- thanksgiving, and S- supplication. These four words give us a picture of how we can be persistent in prayer. As we come to God to have a conversation with Him, we start by expressing to God our deep love and respect for who he is. We worship him as the King he is. Then we move into a time of admitting who we are. In order to do that, we need to confess our selfish pride and agree with God about our sin issues. (By the way, He already knows, so just admit the sin struggle.) Next, we should spend some focused attention on all that God has done for us. He constantly provides in physical and non-physical ways. Right now it is 5 degrees outside, and I am sitting and working in a nice warm office; believe me, I am thankful. I need to tell God! I just did. That is only one of a thousand things to be thankful for just today. Last, we need to spend some time in supplication. Supplication is a word not used much; it means to ask earnestly, humbly for something, such as a personal need or the needs of others. It has the posture of dependence and trust in God. So this is when we come before God with the things that are too big for us to handle and ask for His help, whatever that may be.

Paul reminds us to be persistent as we pray, so prayer is not a once-in-a-while thing, but a consistent habit.

How persistent in prayer are you? I know I could be more persistent in my prayer time!

Pastor Tim

“Be fervent in the Spirit, serve the Lord.”

Romans 12:11b

Last week, we talked about putting all of our effort into serving God, being all in, and pursuing Him with everything we have.

The phrase we are looking at this morning is be fervent in the Spirit. The word fervent means: displaying a passionate intensity. Paul is telling us that the use of our gifts is not a private matter. It is an intensely public issue. How do I know that? If you’re truly passionate about something, it shines through; people can always tell. Think about the things you care about most, then ask yourself how often those topics come up when you talk to people. Most of the time, the people close to us know the conversations we will want to have with them before we show up. If they don’t, I would say you are not really passionate about anything, and that is not good. So, back to the phrase. We are called to be publicly passionate about what the Spirit is doing in and through us, and with that passion, to truly “serve the Lord.” The phrase “serve the Lord” is important. It’s all too easy to get passionate about something and end up serving ourselves instead. That happens every day. Paul says we are to be so connected to the Spirit that our desire is not for ourselves but for God. Our actions of service will prove our desire.

Are your actions proving your desire to serve God? Or do they show your desire to serve self?

Pastor Tim

“Do not lack diligence in zeal;”

Romans 12:11a

Last week I spent two days thinking about this phrase, and it was kind of convicting! I know what you are thinking. How can a phrase like this be convicting? Thanks for asking. Because you asked, I will explain. First of all, it is kind of strange wording. Think about it with me: “do not lack diligence”—the word diligent means to put energetic effort into something. So, Paul tells us to put all of our energy into zeal. What? Well, zeal means putting uncompromising effort into one’s beliefs. Remember, these verses are describing how we use our gifts for God. Paul is basically telling us to put everything we have into serving God. Nothing held back, all in, all the energy we have, all of our thought process, every part of us completely sold out to God's purpose.

It is so easy to become lazy with my beliefs and my desire to serve God. It is easy to take on the attitude that it doesn’t matter how engaged I am with God or how deeply I allow God to affect my life and my daily choices. The next thing we know, complacency slips in, and we find ourselves compromising in small areas, which will begin to affect larger parts of our lives.

That is why Paul is super clear about being diligent. How diligent are you being as you serve God?

Pastor Tim

“Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.”

Romans 12:10

As we looked at verse 9 a few weeks ago we saw we were told to “let love be without hypocrisy.” The word used for love in verse 9 is the word agape - which means unconditional or God-like love. The word love used in verse 10 is the word phileo, which means family-like devotion and affection. Remember these two verses, 9 and 10, are describing how we use our gifts. So, Paul is saying we serve others with God-like love, unconditionally, not because they deserve it but because of God in us. Then we are to serve them with family love because we are children of God living as members of the same family. What I find interesting about this verse is Paul does not leave it at just showing love to each other. He takes it the next step and tells us to be the first to honor others. The word used for honor here means value; we are responsible to show those we live life with their value to us and to the body of Christ. All of us are valuable and add value to the church, and we often forget that about ourselves and others.

When was the last time you showed loved to a brother or sister in Christ by reminding them of the value they add to the body? If it has been a while, today would be a good time to do it again.

Pastor Tim

“Detest evil, cling to what is good.”

Romans 12:9b

Detest: strongly dislike, hate

What do you hate? What are you allowed to hate? Is there anything God wants you to hate? Let's just be super clear, God detests (hates) sin. Why? He is a holy God who cannot allow sin in His presence; that is determined by his character. He also detests sin because of its effect on us. Sin separates us from the relationship with him that he created us for, and he hates that.

So, how do we combat evil? How do we come to hate evil? Thankfully, God through Paul gives us the how: “cling to what is good.” In order to cling to what is good, we have to know what is good. How do I know what is good?

I believe the only way to know what is good is to know truth. The only way to know truth is to spend time with the one who is truth, God. We do that by spending time in the Word of God. As the truth seeps into our hearts and we begin to live it out, we will naturally detest all that is evil. Truth and evil cannot live in the same space. The more truth (God) we fill our hearts and minds with, the less room there is for evil to take root and live in us. The truth (God) will push out the evil that wants to control and own us.

Do you detest evil? Maybe better put, do you love truth? Cling to what is good!

Pastor Tim

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Romans 12:9a

Let's remember the verses we just read last week about using our gifts. Remember, “ Just use them.” This verse speaks to the attitude we need to have as we use them. The first motivation is “love.” What does Paul mean by that? The word love used in this verse is the word agape--which is a sacrificial and selfless love, not an emotional love. It is based on action and choice, not reciprocated because of a previous action by someone else. So the motivation for using the gift God gave us is because we love Him and we love those who need to be ministered to. The second part of the phrase says “without hypocrisy.” The word hypocrisy means to claim a moral standing or belief that you do not practice. Paul is telling us to be sure that we not only say we love people but that we are walking out that love for people, that as we use our gifts, we are not using them to be seen by others and applauded for our gifts, but to simply care for others with the love of Christ because we care. Basically, Paul is telling us to keep our interactions with others simple; just love them.

How well do you think you love others? Can they tell?

Pastor Tim