Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

The Easy-Peasy Guide to Christian Love!

Romans 12:9-13 lists the loving actions that Paul challenges us to live out; it is anything but Easy-Peasy. In fact, we can’t do it without the power of the Holy Spirit. Douglas Moo’s commentary on this passage is so good; Moo states that in the first part of verse 9, the Greek actually reads ”the love sincere.” This functions as a title of sorts. The verse might better be rendered something like, “Love that is sincere will be…” Paul is helping us see the nature of love in concrete terms.

The “genuine” in verse 9 means not to be hypocritical in love. We are to love sincerely, like Jesus loves (John 13:34-35). This kind of love is moral…it hates (abhors) evil and clings to good. Verse 10 exhorts us to love the brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to be devoted in brotherly love to one another. Imagine a loving relationship with siblings; that’s what Paul is conveying. As in Philippians 2:3, we should consider others better than ourselves, looking to the interests of others. In the next 2 verses, we have 6 quick hits that are like commands in quick succession…bam, bam, bam. Verse 11 tells us not to be lazy in zeal, to be fully engaged in true worship, to be fervent in spirit in the Lord, literally, to be “set on fire” and in all ways to serve the Lord. Verse 12 has 3 more quick exhortations for us “to stay on course” in the battle in this world. 1) Rejoice in the hope of our glorious future. 2) Be patient in tribulation, knowing the Lord is with us. 3) Be constant in prayer so that in all this we are interacting with the Lord at every point of this journey. In verse 13 Paul tells us to contribute to the needs of the saints (i.e. the brothers & sisters in Christ) and to welcome each other in hospitality.

Whew! That was an onslaught of hard-hitting practical statements on how to love. These statements come across as a set of somewhat overwhelming commands. What do you do with this hard-hitting training on love? Here you go…as you read this passage allow the Holy Spirit to point out the ways He wants to help you grow in your love quotient. It could be loving that which is good, hating that which is evil; it could be showing brotherly affection or honoring others above yourself; it could be contributing to the needs of Christians. Whatever it is, your love, expanding in practical ways, honors the Lord Jesus, but it has to be by His power, through His Spirit. This is The Easy-Peasy Guide to Christian Love.

-Doug Drainville