Romans 12:9-12 – Christian Living

Topic: Christian Living

Reading: Romans 12:9-12

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Introduction and Overview

There are many books and articles written about Christian living. But if you want a high level overview of what Christian living looks like, it can be found in these few verses and the ones that follow.

Christian living is very much about relationships. It is how we interact with others and with God. God wants His people to get along with each other. These guidelines in these few verses highlight what Christian living ought to encompass and accomplish.

Key points from reading:

1. Love is the basic underpinning of Christian living
2. Relationship and consideration for others is key to walking in love
3. Constant seeking and searching for the things of the Lord are necessary

Discussion:

1. Scripture: Romans 12:9
   • This verse tells us to first, “Let love be genuine.” This is not the emotional love of Hollywood films. Rather it is the active love of God. It is the kind of love written about in 1 Corinthians 13, where we are called to be patient, kind, not jealous or boastful, self-sacrificing and not selfish, and so on. It is an active form of love that considers how we ought to think and then behave. And not in a false way, but in a genuine manner.
   • This verse continues showing that Christian living is also about drawing the lines between good and evil. We are called to seek out what is good and then hold on to it. This requires wisdom and insight, because what is good in the sight of man is not always good in the sight of God. When we identify what is good we need to hold on to it. Conversely when we identify evil, we need to reject it and even hate it because we want no part of evil anywhere near us.
   • This requires us to learn the difference between good and evil. God has given us the Bible to show us those things, and we have to dig deep to learn them.
2. Scripture: Romans 12:10
   • The second verse in this section focuses on brotherly love, which is slightly different tot h love in the previous verse. Both forms of love are rooted in God’s love, but there are nuanced differences. And both are important in the ways of Christian living.
   • God’s love is often referred to as the “agape” love. It is the active love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13. But brotherly love is the “philo” love, and that is what this verses is referring to.
   • “Philo” love is the love between brothers and sisters, or the love of friends and family. It is the mutual and shared affection found with friends. It is the kind of love where friends or brothers stand together against a common enemy or source of trouble. They help one another, working together for the benefit of all. True friendship is a powerful form of love and it is a strong part of Christian living.
3. Scripture: Romans 12:11
   • This third verse of Christian living deals with our personal attitude. It advises how we are to think and behave in all circumstances.
   • We are to be enthusiastic and zealous for the things of God. We are to constantly seek and see the goof around us, especially as we relate to the people of God. God’s people are our friends and brothers, and we need to learn to build one another up with encouragement and enthusiasm.
   • And we should allow the Holy Spirit to be present in our lives, guiding and teaching us. As we serve the Lord in His ministry and work, let us be aglow with the Spirit so that those who meet and see us know the power of the Spirit at work in us. The Lord has promised us great things, amazing things, and these ought to lift us as we walk with Christ.
4. Scripture: Romans 12:12
   • The fourth verse in this section encourages us to consider our calling. “Rejoice in your hope.” The hope we have in Jesus Christ for salvation and life is something worth rejoicing over. In this world there is only despair, hopelessness, evil, and tribulation. It is not a pleasant place to live. But the promise of Christ Jesus and God the Father is that Jesus will return and set everything right. This is a great cause for rejoicing.
   • We also know that this world is evil. Christians stand as beacons of light against the evils of this world. And the world hates us because we stand against the ways of this world, rejecting the evil, and seeking what is good. That is why we have tribulation. The world has tribulation, and this was prophesied to occur. But as Christians we have the additional tribulation of the hatred of the world.
   • But one of the great things about Christian living is that we have a way out. We have the God of Creation standing with us, protecting us, guiding us, and helping us so we don’t go down into the valley of despair. The world suffers from hopelessness, but we have hope. The world suffers from lack of insight, but God gives us His insight. The world follows lies, but we follow truth in Jesus Christ.
   • We need to constantly be in communication with God through prayer. The power of Christian living is enabled in prayer as we speak to God and He answers our prayers. And He does and will answer our prayers in ways that benefit us as we walk. We have no need to fear the tribulations of this world because God is at our back and Jesus is by our side.

Prayer Points

1. Pray constantly, as the scriptures tell us today and let God know all of your thoughts, concerns, worries, and problems. Also pray constantly thanking Him for the blessings He has promised and those He has given you already.
2. Thank God for the hope of salvation in Christ Jesus and the knowledge that He is coming again soon.