"Love in Action" - Lessons from Romans

In this episode, Mallory digs into Romans 12:9-13 to unpack the perspective-shifting treasures the passage holds. How do we live and love like Jesus in the middle of a broken world?

 “Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity.” (C.S Lewis)

Romans 12:9-13

• Persistent theme: “The need for a humble and peaceable attitude toward others, whether fellow Christians or non-Christians."

Verse 9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

• The original Greek  means “not playing a part” 
• Love is not simply a matter of emotion, but instead a matter of the will. 
• “Whatever attracts the mind from God, whatever draws the affections away from Christ, is an enemy to the soul” (Ellen White) 
• “We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. It denotes a deliberate choice of, a sincere affection for, and a constant perseverance in, that which is good.” (Henry Commentary) 
• In this chapter, Paul is focusing on our responsibility as christians to “live a life of love in the midst of a fallen world.” (Moo pg. 84) 
• I can’t be FAITHFUL and CYNICAL at the same time. 

Verse 10-  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

• Honor means A high internal attitude of respect, courtesy, or esteem for.
• How often do we willingly yield to our brothers and sisters as a way of showing honor to them? 
• Our honor of others cannot be conditional or based on reciprocity.
• "We have to remember that the only person qualified to throw a stone- didn’t."
• We often judge others by their impact but judge ourselves by our intentions. 

Verse 11- “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

• Zeal: “a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way” (Erik Raymond) 
• “Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work…”- It’s good to consider, have I been slacking in my faithfulness? 

Verse 12- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

• We rejoice in HOPE - not in circumstances or outcomes.
• Patient: “denotes not a passive putting up with things, but an active, steadfast endurance.” (Morris) 
• “Some virtues are seen only in affliction.” (Webster) 
• Suffering is inevitable, Joy & hope amidst suffering is not.
• God cares for us holistically. 
• “We can continue to spend all of our energy fighting the waves or we can choose to adjust our sails.” Its a posture of patience amid trials. 
•  CS Lewis quote- “We ought to give thanks for all fortune; if it is good, because it is good, if bad- because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.”

Verse 13- Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

• Mother Theresa quote - “God gives us things to share, He doesn’t give us things to hold.”
• “consume less, share better.”
• Great tragedy of aloneness in our society

There is an immense need for the Spirit’s intervention if we are to live Christian lives… 

 F. S. Fitzgerald — 'I hope you live a life you're proud of. And if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”