Friday August 6, 2021

God, I am here to go deeper and learn from You.  Come Holy Spirit, speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen.

Romans 12:9-21

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On 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.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Checklist

How then are we to live? This section of Romans gives us a convenient checklist for daily Christian living. I like checklists. I receive great satisfaction from checking off something that has been accomplished. Done! Keep this Love Checklist (Romans 12:9-21) from Paul handy and aim to check off every life “to do” daily.

In light of the amazing knowledge of who we are in Jesus Christ,, we are to live a life of love, loving God and loving others. We are to share what we have, pray for people and be hospitable. We are to bless those who persecute us and care for our enemies. We are to live at peace with everyone. How is it possible to live this way? Because we have victory over sin through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. We can accomplish our purpose in life through God’s grace working in us and we can check off our LOVE Checklist everyday.

Questions

Reread Paul’s checklist for Christian living (Romans 12:9-21). What do you do most readily? What do you struggle most to do?
Pray for the Holy Spirit to check off one of the most difficult items today.

Holy, Lord God, help me to grow in living a loving life everyday through the power of your Holy Spirit. Sanctify me in your grace. Amen.