God’s Will for All Those Who Called Themselves Christians

God’s Will for All Those Who Called Themselves Christians

Romans Chapter 12:9-21

Verse 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

We are to have affection or benevolence toward one another without hypocrisy. Our love is to be genuine and sincere, not fake. Our actions ought to show that we love one another. If you tell someone that you love them and then treat them like dirt, then you obviously don’t really love them. If you say you love someone and then speak evil of them behind their back or to their face, then your love is very shallow and fake. Remember, actions speak louder than words when it comes to love.

We are to hate evil (God’s standard of evil as we find in His Word, not our own standard). We are to utterly detest the character of looking about for someone whom we can hurt whether physically or with our words.  We are to despise that which God calls bad, evil, grievous, harmful, lewd, malicious, or wicked. We are to see evil as God sees it and not justify it.  

We are to glue ourselves to goodness and righteousness. Once again, God’s definition of what goodness is, not our own.  

Verse 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

We are to cherish one another as a prized possession. The Bible says to treat each other like close family, but nowadays it is very rare to see family members (even in “Christian Homes” cherishing one another, which is very sad.

We are to put the other person first. We are to value them with high esteem and think of them as precious.

Verse 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

 We are not to be tardy or apathetic in our business, but we must be diligent and make haste.  

God wants us have a spirit of earnestness.

We are to be a slave to our Supreme in Authority.  

Verse 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

We are to be cheerful in expectation. We are to anticipate with pleasure or confidence.

We are to persevere in times of pressure, anguish, persecution, and trouble. We are never to quit on God during the hard times.

We are to be earnest towards prayer and worship. Be constantly diligent to worship and pray to God.

Verse 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

We are to share what we have with fellow believers who are lacking. We are to take care of fellow Christians and be willing to give them a place to stay. We are to provide their needs in any way that we are able.

Verse 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

We are to speak well of and thankful for those who cause harm to us. We are not to speak ill of them or express how much we hate them in any way or to anyone.

Verse 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

We are to be cheerful with those that are cheerful and sob or wail aloud with those who are sobbing or wailing aloud.

Verse 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Be unified with one another.

Don’t spend all your time entertaining or thinking about lofty and proud things or people, but instead spend time carrying the burdens of those who are depressed, humble and looked down upon.  

Don’t take wisdom from your own opinions. Don’t be proud thinking that you are always right and have all the answers. 

Verse 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Don’t give anyone harm in return for the harm they have given to you. Don’t be unkind to someone just because they were unkind to you.

Consider in advance if what you are planning or doing will be proper or good in the face or presence of others. 

Verse 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

If you are capable or have the power to do so, with all the power that is in your being, act peaceful or live in peace with all people.  

Verse 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

We are not to seek revenge for ourselves, but instead we are to give room God’s anger. He is the one who avenges His own and He does it in the right and proper way. Let God take care of your enemies; God sees when we are mistreated and He doesn’t like it. He takes care of His own. Remember David and Saul. God surely took care of Saul for messing with His child. Give you enemies to God and let Him judge them.   

Verse 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Because it is God’s job to avenge your enemies, you are to take care of those who are hateful toward you. If you see that they are hungry or thirsty, fill their need. By being kind to your enemy it will be like piling coals of fire on his head. It will pretty much drive them crazy because what they want is for you to be just like them and be hateful back.  

Verse 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Don’t let evil have the victory over you, rather kill the evil by treating your enemy kindly and doing good to them.