Title: Social life of love
Commentary on Romans 93
social life of love
Romans 12:14 - 21
Introduction: For Christians, social life is very important. Jesus had earlier stated two major premises in the way these Christians live their social life. “You are the salt of the world, and if it loses its taste, what shall it be seasoned with? After that it is of no use, but a horn that is thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. I do not put it under the table, but on a lampstand, so that it gives light before everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:13-15) The words of verse 14 and below, given today, describe how Christians live their social life. It shows the answer to how Christians who need to practice love should live with our neighbors.
1. How to live against enemies
As we live in this world, there are two kinds of people we encounter in our lives. One is our brothers and the next is our enemies. But we are taught to bless our way of life toward our enemies, not to repay evil for evil, and not to take revenge.
(1) We have to bless those who persecute us because the persecution we receive has a promise of our reward. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven, for in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).
(2) We must forgive those who persecute Christians because they do not understand what they are doing. On the cross, Jesus prayed to the Father for the people who crucified him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). We must not curse those who persecute us because we do not know the truth. He said to bless and not to curse. The word to bless here means to pray to God that He will have pity on them so that they will come to understand the truth and be saved.
(3) The reason we should not curse those who persecute us is that God is also generous with them. “Beloved, do not forget this one fact, that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. He will” (2 Peter 3:9). God said that it is not with pleasure that the wicked die for their sins (Ezekiel 18:31,32). Not only that, but there is hope for salvation even for the wicked. He said, “If the wicked turns from his evil and walks according to law and righteousness, he will live because of him” (Ezekiel 33:19).
(4) Another reason we should not condemn them is that God did not give us the mission of curse or condemnation, but the office of forgiveness and love. When Jesus shared the parable of forgiving the debt of ten thousand talents, he warned, “My heavenly Father will do the same to you, unless you forgive your brother, each one of you focusing on himself” (Matthew 18:22-35).
2. Make peace with everyone
In verse 18, Paul says, “If it is possible, as far as possible, be at peace with all men.”
(1) First, we are giving some lessons about brothers. First, let those who rejoice rejoice together. We should be able to share in brotherly joy. We should be able to share the joy with our brother, even if we are hurt a little.
Second, those who weep should weep together. This verse is to bear the pain of those who weep together. It is about finding something that can truly comfort you and help you, helping yourself and carrying the burden together. Since Christians are members of the body of Christ, they must share the suffering of each other.
Third, he said, “Be of the same mind with one another, and do not set your heart on the high, but rather be lowly, and do not pretend to be wise in yourselves.” Brotherly love springs forth and takes root in humility. Brothers and sisters should be of the same mind. If people are proud, they cannot be of one mind. On the contrary, when you put yourself lower than your brothers, you can achieve one heart. He told me not to pretend to be wise. It is difficult for those who put forth their wisdom to converge. True wisdom is to fear God, and such a person can be at peace with all men.
(2) Next, some lessons are given about peace with the enemy. First, do not repay evil for evil. Christians must cast away any form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). It is not God's way to use evil to fight evil. Evil is not a win-win for anything. Therefore, if we are to be at peace with all men, we must seek good works in the sight of all men.
Second, he was told not to take revenge. Jesus said, “You have heard it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’, but I say to you, do not resist the evil one. ” (Matthew 5:38-45). He said that it is God who takes revenge. Therefore, if we take revenge, we are violating God's authority. This is what I am telling my enemies about what to do. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink, and you will heap coals of coals on his head.”
Conclusion: We are people who must live according to the Word of God in everything we do. To the world, our life like this may seem infinitely foolish, but only those who live in this way receive God's blessing. Knowing that this kind of life is the Christian life of love, I hope that through this kind of life, we can become peaceful Christians with all people.