Let Good Persevere (Romans 12)
3:40 AM
The early church lived in perilous times. They faced the very
real trials of potential persecution, imprisonment, and even death to live out
their beliefs. But, in Romans, they are encouraged to persevere through such
uncertain times and worship God by committing their very lives
wholeheartedly.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will
of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (12:1-2)
To persevere in trying circumstances is no easy task but Paul
gives us 3 vital keys.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in
prayer.” (12:12)
Our greatest witness to the world can be in how we respond to
difficulty and adversity. How we respond to others can be a great
opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. If Christ reached out to us in
our sin and despair, shouldn’t we extend His love to others who also
desperately need it? Our wounded human instincts may cause us to want to avoid others,
reject or retaliate against their behaviors, but each person we interact with
needs to see Jesus through our responses to them.
Persevering includes extending grace to others and representing
Christ in every opportunity.
“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. (12:15-18)
Not every person is easy to extend love to. Not every person is
easy to be kind to. We must be patient and pray for Gods help to love
others as He asks us to. When others “push our buttons”, “try our patience”,
and “get on our last nerve”, we must remember that there is a spiritual war at
stake. We must persevere to seek God’s wisdom in knowing how to respond. We
must not repay evil with evil.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good.” (12:21)
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