Romans: Theology for Everybody (12-16)Sample

In boxing, there are punchers and counter punchers. The punchers step forward, act as the aggressor, and are constantly closing the distance to engage. The counter punchers wait for the punchers to make a mistake and patiently look for an opening to exploit and return punches.

The world we live in is pretty much a boxing ring, and everything from media to social media and interpersonal relationships are various kinds of punching and counterpunching. The result is painfully obvious – no one is winning, and everyone is wounded.

In this section, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, teaches us how to apply the theme of Romans 12:2 to our most difficult relationships, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” The Christian should not just punch and counterpunch like the world. Instead, the Holy Spirit can transform us so that our response to people is based upon how God responded to us in Christ Jesus.

God’s response to us is love and, with His help, our response to others can also be love. Walking the path of love is tough because there are cliffs on both sides. On one side, Paul says we can fall into hypocrisy, which is the opposite of sincerity where, as religious people do, we smile and say nice things when people are looking but don’t really care for them or treat them the same when no one is looking. On the other side, Paul says we can fall into gullibility, which is the opposite of wisdom and discernment. Foolish people will try and love everyone, even evil people who use and abuse them, causing much harm. Such relationships are not loving but enabling. True love is sincere and from the heart, wisely chooses who to trust and be devoted to, and wholeheartedly gives and serves the will of God as the highest loyalty.

To help us love with God’s love, Paul compares and contrasts what is loving and unloving. Grab two different colored pens and spend some time noting in one color all the things that love is, and with the other color noting all the things that love is not. As you compare and contrast these attributes, keep in mind how they remind you of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect definition and example of love.

Questions: 

1. Honestly, is there any “evil” in your life based upon what Paul says?

2. Who are you doing a pretty good job at loving like Paul says?

3. Who are you not doing a good job loving like Paul says?