Living Out Love, Pt. 4

Our great King has brought peace between Himself and man through His Son, and as recipients of that peace, we are to be people of peace.

Living Out Love, Pt. 4

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

(Romans 12:16-18)

Reading through 30 commands in just 13 verses can be completely overwhelming! Each command in Romans 12:9-21 is short but has so many implications. Though pages could be written about each one, we are at least taking a moment to consider each of them. Today we will tackle the next 7 commands, looking at some in conjunction with another.

Live in harmony with one another.

Remember that Paul is writing to the church in Rome. In such a place, the body of Christ likely looked rather diverse. Poor, rich, slave, free, Jews, Gentiles–they were all there! So when Paul writes to them to live in harmony with each other, this is not a simple task. But what a beautiful picture at the same time. The body of Christ is diverse, and I'm sure it is in your context as well. How then can such different people live in harmony? When a group of very different people become united in faith in Christ, they have more in common than they do different.

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

In a similar vein, these two paired commands further this thought process on grace. Each of us has transgressed the law and has become guilty of all of it, according to James 2. We are all, therefore, equally in need of grace. And if all who are in Christ have been shown this great mercy, then none of us are in a position to think of ourselves more highly than another. James 2 also speaks about not showing partiality. Clearly, these two truths of us all being great sinners but Jesus being a great Savior really go together and put us all on equal footing.

Never be wise in your own sight.

At first glance, I didn't see the connection between this command and the ones preceding it. But on further consideration, associating with the lowly and refraining from thinking of ourselves too highly are acts of humility. This command is also a call to humility. We ought not think that our wisdom is ever complete or infallible. True wisdom only leads to further humility.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Many of the commands previously given have been directed toward how believers interact with one another. This one, however, is almost certainly referring to any and all relationships, perhaps even especially to our relationships with those outside the church, so that by reacting in such a contrary way to evil by responding with honor, some might be won to the Gospel.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Christians are to be people of peace. Our great King has brought peace between Himself and man through His Son, and as recipients of that peace, we are to be people of peace. It is, however, true that we cannot control how another person views a situation or if another will offer forgiveness or choose peace. Therefore, Paul does offer the clause, "so far as it depends on you," here. I can't control if another person wants to hold a grudge or dislike me for something, but I am in control of how I respond. I can always offer grace and forgiveness and choose peace, even if another refuses.