Study of Romans 12 – Verse 12

    Have you noticed that verses 10 through 13 are one sentence and one thought? In studying, reading, and rereading this passage, I have come to realize that we are given the command, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,” and it is followed by nine instructions that, when put into action, will enable us to accomplish that command.      

    We will be kindly affectionate with brotherly love when we give preference to one another (v10), when we do not lag in diligence (v11); when we are fervent in spirit (v11), and when we serve the Lord (v11); when we rejoice in hope (v12), are patient in tribulation (v12), and continue steadfastly in prayer (v12); when we distribute to the needs of the poor (v13), and when we are given to hospitality (v13).

    We have already studied the first four instructions for the command – here’s a quick review:

• When we give preference to one another and consider our brethren before ourselves, we show that we value them – that they are important to us and vital to the work.
• When we do not lag in diligence, our brethren will know they can count on us to work alongside them (Nehemiah 4:6, 2 Corinthians 8:5), and through our stick-to-itiveness, we may be able to encourage less involved brethren to become more active in the work and more dedicated in their service to God and to their brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• When we are fervent in spirit we show that our motivation comes from our unshakeable convictions that God is, and that His way is the best way (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:58); our inevitable growth will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:12-16) as we cheerfully do our part in the work.
• When we serve the Lord, we prove our love for our brethren (read and think on 1 John 5:2-3). In serving the Lord, we show them that God is worthy of our every effort in obedience, that what He asks of us can be done, that it is always for our good, and that His blessings far outweigh any of our sacrifices. In serving the Lord we prepare ourselves to love our brethren with kindly affection!

    Now, let’s dig into the continuing instructions that will help us to obey the command to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love:

“…rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayers…” (Romans 12:12 NKJV)

“…rejoicing in hope…”

    Rejoicing (Strong’s #G5463, ‘chairo’) means be glad, joyful with inner joy and delight. Consider Philippians 4:4.

    Hope (Strong’s #G1680, ‘elpis’) means expectation, trust, confidence, anticipation. Read and think on Psalm 16:8-9, 130: 5-6, and Romans 8:24-25

    So rejoicing in hope is letting your confident anticipation of God’s blessings in this life (and in the one to come, 1 John 3:1-3) fill you with a lasting joy and delight that buoys you in sorrows (Psalm 27:13-14, 34:), anchors you during the storms (Matthew 7:24-27), and overflows when you are with those who also share this hope (Philippians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:3-9).

“…patient in tribulation…”

    Patient (Strong’s #G5278 ‘hupomeno’) means enduring, persevering, remaining steadfast. Literally: remaining under the load, bearing up*. It means that we absolutely persevere through misfortunes and trials because we are holding fast to our faith and clinging to what is good.  

*Note: Take a moment to read Psalm 144:12. It is a stanza in David’s song to the LORD in which he asks to be rescued from enemies so that the sons of his people may grow as plants, and so their daughter’s may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style. It’s a prayer that the girls may grow up to be strong women who are able to bear up with elegance under life’s burdens. Read and think on 1 Peter 3:1-4 also.

    Tribulation (Strong’s #G2347 ‘thlipsis’) means affliction, distress, severe persecution, pressure, or oppression.

    How do you remain patient in tribulations? By practicing and developing patience in the various trials that test us throughout the day and allowing patience to have its perfect work so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). We can do this by keeping God and His benefits in our minds (Psalm 68:19, 103:1-2), knowing God is on His throne and is aware of our situation (Psalm 11:3-4, 7, Psalm 34, 1 Peter 2:2:23), knowing our brethren are counting on us to hold the line and not give opportunity to the devil (Psalm 4:4-5, 37:7-8, Ephesians 4:26-27, 6:10-13).

“…continuing steadfastly in prayer…”

    Continuing steadfastly (Strong’s #G4342 ‘proskartereo’) means to devote oneself, to persist in, to be strong and enduring towards, to give constant attention to (prayer). See 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    Prayer (Strong’s #G4335 ‘proseuche’) means a prayer (or vow) towards God. Communicating to God through supplication (earnest pleading for what is needed), intercession (asking help for others), thanksgiving, and adoration (praise).

    Communicating with God continually – never giving up on it – is a benefit to our brethren and shows our love for them in that it helps us develop as followers of Christ - so we can better help and serve them – AND it gives us opportunity to pray for each and every one of them; that God may help them reach their full potential.

    Rejoicing in hope will help us to be patient in tribulation (consider Philippians 4:4-8, 11-13) and keep us steadfast in prayer as we stay focused on what is truly important (Colossians 3:1-17). Continuing steadfastly in prayer will also fortify us to be patient in tribulation and it will remind us to rejoice in hope as we consider God, His goodness, and His power. Each part is necessary, each part supports and strengthens the others – and we cannot properly love our brethren without them!

    Are you rejoicing in hope? Are you patient in tribulations? Are you continuing steadfastly in prayer? If one of these is missing in your life it will be a struggle to accomplish the rest, and as a result you will be hard-pressed to love your brethren as you should. Think about these things this week and work at developing each one so that we can flourish in kindly affection and brotherly love for your brothers and sister in Christ!

You can do it! So can I!!  

   

"God of... comfort"

    God is the very author of comfort, it begins and exists in Him. Note that this is not a lazing or loafing comfort of do-nothing indulgence and indifference – it couldn’t be because God is none of those things – this is a comfort that encourages, consoles, and gives solace to the one standing and withstanding (Ephesians 6:10, 13) busy in doing the work (James 1:25, 1 Peter 5:6-10).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)

    In this passage we see God described as “God of all comfort” – whatever your situation, He has all that you need. Not only does God have all the comfort you need while going through all your tribulations, He comforts us with such a comfort that we, ourselves, can get up and go on, and comfort those around us who are going through any troubles.

    Our God of comfort steadies us and readies us to encourage others in their walk!

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:4-6 NKJV)

    God prepared His word (having faithful men write it down) so it could be preserved and provided to future generations – why? So that we, in reading it could gain both patience and comfort while learning from it, and have hope knowing that the God they served then – the God of patience and comfort – is the same God we serve now.

    And again, beyond supplying us encouragement through the Scriptures, our God of comfort wants us to be like-minded – full of patience and comfort – toward our brethren, why? That we may with be as one, with one mind and one mouth, glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! What will eternity in heaven be but joining together as one with the saved from all ages to glorify our God of comfort?

    Our God of comfort steadies us and readies us for our eternal home!   

    Please take time to read and consider 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22 this week. Within this passage you will find comfort and encouragement for yourself and several ways to comfort and encourage your brethren!

    “Be imitators of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1) and share the comfort He comforts you with! God is patient and comforting so remember to be patient and comforting toward your brethren who need help and solace just like you! Allow God’s comfort to steady you and ready you for the work that needs doing, so that you can help others stay the course and together you can look forward, with hope, to glorifying Him for eternity!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Walking in the Spirit: Faith, Hope, Love

 "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5:5-6 NKJV)

    Last week we looked at the first mention of the vital trio: faith, hope, and love. Let's take some time to look at the next mention (as seen above) found in Galatians 5:5-6.

    It is beneficial to this study that you take the time to read the whole of Galatians 5 as the command to "walk in the Spirit" has as much to do with the beginning of the chapter as it does with the end of the chapter.

    Christians, those who follow Christ (1 John 2:6), are to "walk in the Spirit" so that "you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). It is only when we are so walking by faith - trusting God and His way - that we can eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness!

    What is this 'hope of righteousness' that we can eagerly wait for? 

    It is the confidence and assurance of God's promised eternity with Him if we diligently seek to do what He has declared to be right (righteous).

    The apostle Paul was writing to the Galatian brethren who were struggling with their faith (under the New Covenant) because they were being told by others that they needed to become like Jews and keep the Jewish laws (Law of Moses, Old Covenant, see 1:6-10 and chapters 2-4).

    Paul declares to them that in Christ Jesus (the body of the Christ, the church, Ephesians 1:22-23), being circumcised in the flesh (Jewish custom from OT Law) or uncircumcised (often used to denote a Gentile, anyone from outside) doesn't matter; what now matters is faith working through love. 

    We, as Christians, have conviction that there are certain things that are proper for a Christian to do and we do these because we love God first and foremost, and because we love mankind and our fellow brethren. We honour God through obedience and exhibit a good example to those who may observe us (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16, Matthew 5:14-16). 

    Faith leads us to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). The fruit of the Spirit is developed in us when our faith works through love. When we have faith working through love we will diligently seek God and do what God has commanded us to do (and avoid what He has told us to avoid) and we can build confident hope/assurance that we are right and pleasing in His sight!

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 
for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)  

    Are you flourishing in faith, walking every day in the Spirit, because you love God and those around you?  Do you have hope and confidence because you are doing what God has declared to be righteous? If you do, then keep going, keep doing His what He has commanded - live in faith with love and hope!! It is worth every effort to do just that!!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Jesus Patiently Endured - We Should Too (Part 2)

      Jesus quietly endured the mounting hatred and hostility and did not complain, He patiently heard the slanderous speeches and remained kind; He handled the ill-treatment of those close to Him with calm composure. 

    Can we say the same for ourselves?

    Some of us may be more like Peter who was quick to grab a sword and start swinging (consider Proverbs 12:18). We want to wage a holy war the very moment our "righteous indignation" is ignited - or at least we act that way - maybe we are not so reactive as to lash out in the moment, but we carry it around with us and complain constantly about our experience (sometimes even online), we harbour our irritation and purposely behave in negative ways so that unknowing people feel obliged to ask us what is wrong and give us yet another opportunity to "vent."

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-120 NKJV)

    In following Jesus' example we learn that He did not burden His family nor His friends with complaints of unfairness or ill-treatment, He quietly went to His Father (who is the righteous Judge of every situation, 1 Peter 2:19-24), and surely prayed for help, comfort, peace, strength, and wisdom - just as we should be doing (1 Peter 5:7, Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:9-11, James 1:5). 

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8 NKJV)

    Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him - to walk in His steps means to do what He did - endure patiently without complaint. We need to teach ourselves to run to God when we feel hurt or mistreated, lay our bruised and broken parts out before Him and discover the wondrous way in which He can heal them!

    You want to be more like the Son on 2021? Put away complaining and begin praying, so you can learn to patiently endure and use your words for edifying others (Ephesians 4:29-32)!

You can do it! So can I!!

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ...it is good for me to draw near to GOD, I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works." (Psalm 73:25-26, 28 NKJV)