Romans 12:9-16
Let love be genuine; hate what
is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in
showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.[a] 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to
strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate
with the lowly;[b] do not claim to be wiser than you
are.
At first glance, this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans could easily be one of the ever-popular online lists. You know the ones: 24 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Related or 17 Things Every Twenty-Something Should Know. Yet, Paul’s words point to what my Wesley Study Bible calls “The Marks of a True Christian.” Just like when we read these online lists, it’s natural to try to see how we measure up. Do I rejoice in hope? Am I extending hospitality to strangers? But this isn’t some checklist to fulfill, it is a way of living that leads to greater love of God and of others. It’s not a one and done kind of thing. Instead, it is something that we have to continually remind ourselves of so that we can practice love and grow toward perfection.
Reflection Questions:
Morning: What “Marks of a True Christian” do you see in your life?
Noon: What can you do today to live in a way that shows love to God and others?
Evening: How can you let your love be genuine?
No comments:
Post a Comment