Romans 12:9-13

Romans 12:9-13Adult Pastor Brad FergusonPaul gives 13 commands in these five verses, but we must be careful that this isn't a "check the box" list. There needs to be an understanding that this is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, but there is work for us to do as well. In these ways that the Lord is growing us, we need to have a devotion to Him.
LOVEIn verse 9, Paul starts with focusing on love because love lays the foundation for everything. (1 Cor 13:13; Gal 5:22; Col 3:14; 1 John 4:16, etc.)

• This love initiates with others
• It is undeserved, unmerited, and unconditional
• It is tethered to Scripture instead of listening to the world's view
• It is without hypocrisy - don't pretend to love...truly love

Paul goes on to say, "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good". We should be horrified at the evil in the world. We should be horrified at the evil in our own hearts. Unfortunately, as humans, we have a bad habit of normalizing evil over time. Things that once horrified us are now tolerated.
We should run from sin, and run towards what is good (Col 3:2).
RELATEIn verse 10, Paul moves from this general overview of love to how to implement this love with our relationships.

• Love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22; 1 Thes 4:9; John 13:35) - If we show genuine care for one another, it is a powerful example of the gospel!
• Compete with one another in honoring each other - Be the initiator.

Verse 12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer,". Paul directly put affliction in the middle. We will all face trials and pain in our lives. That is a guarantee. But that affliction should be surrounded by hope and prayer.
Our only hope is Jesus Christ, but He is enough!
We must be persistent in our prayer life. Too often, we give up or just run out of hope. We must let affliction run it's course because we are growing to be more like Jesus through that suffering. (James 1:2-4)
Questions to Consider

1. What is the difference between loving someone because you have to and loving them because you want to?
2. What does it mean to "outdo one another in showing honor"? How can you honor a sibling, parent, coworker, or classmate this week instead of trying to be first yourself?
3. How can we "rejoice in hope" when we are going through something tough? What is a difficult thing right now that we can share together and pray about?

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