Ouch. I’ve read it through several times in the past few days, trying to find a way out, around, or through some of the “love” language in Romans 12. To make matters worse, in my ESV Bible, the heading reads, “Marks of the True Christian.” Read it through slowly, carefully, reflectively, asking yourself — “How is it possible to love this way?” My guess is you’ll reach the same conclusion I have — only through Christ working in us is this deep, abiding, strong, and compassionate love possible:
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Be forewarned (or encouraged:) — over the next few days, I’ll post some thoughts from good thinkers about what it means to live out these verses. Today, the rest of Peterson’s devotional on Romans 12 from Conversations:
“Another way we express our worship to God is by giving him our heart — our total heart, including the sinful impulses that reside there. When people wrong us, for example, we feel resentful, and we have the impulse to hurt them in return. We can do it directly, lashing them with our tongue or our fists. Or we can do it indirectly through gossip, coldness, indifference or manipulation. One thing is certain: None of us have the impulse to bless the person who does us wrong. We all have the impulse to avenge ourselves. Worship means the reversal of the equations of hurt and revenge. It means returning a blessing for a curse, forgiveness for revenge, peace for strife.
Worship isn’t a religious performance we sit back and enjoy; it’s an act in which we participate. And as we participate, we’re changed. Worship is the presentation of our bodies as a sacrifice to God so that he can act upon us. Either the world shapes us or God shapes us. Either we’re conformed to the world or we’re transformed by God. And worship is what he uses to bring about that transformation.” Eugene Peterson, Conversations
