one step: Romans 12.10

Live in harmony with one another.

Cultures where everyone wears similar clothes, eats at similar restaurants, does their hair similar, says similar catch phrases or mottos may appear to walk in unity and harmony. Groups of people who all say that they hold the same opinions, go with the flow, and allow leadership to do and say what they want may appear to live in unity and harmony. Leaders who lead through fear may appear to have the ability to create unified and harmonious followers. This is not what Paul speaks of. This is not healthy.

Paul’s words do not imply that everyone should hold the same exact opinions.* Uniformity is not to be synonymous with conformity. Unfortunately, often this is the case. In an effort to move forward with “the mission” as quickly as possible, organizations squash dissenting or differing opinions with the opinions and perspectives of upper leadership holding more value and weight than others. This is divisive, creating a rift between levels of organization.

Paul’s words in this verse summarize the overall drive of Romans 12 thus far: live in harmony with one another.*

Paul offers that we achieve genuine unity by thinking the same thing toward one another rather than as one another.* This is consistent with Paul’s analogy of the body. Though there are differences in the body of Christ, they are all to be esteemed as valuable (no matter their economic, ethnic, social, etc. status).* Paul invites believers to a unity of heart and attitude.* Certainly, we are to agree on sound doctrine, but this is understood from the rest of Paul’s writings.*

As a body, we must think and act in ways that promote harmony and agreement.* …not in ways that always look identical and definitely not in ways that divide. A body divided is dismembered… and will eventually die.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to value the opinions of others as your own. Perhaps today God wants you to find unity around Him. Maybe today God wants you to resist the fear to conform. Perhaps God wants you to change the way you lead. Maybe God wants you to change the way you follow.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 480–481). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 335–336). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 450). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 412). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Romans 12.9

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

A myriad of reasons exist as to why we may rejoice while others weep or weep while others rejoice. Paul’s point in this verse is this: as Christians, we must sympathize.*

Why?

The main reason is that we are all connected as one body.* For the body to engage in differing reactions throughout its being is to express a disjointedness that departs from the unity characteristic of the body of Christ. To weep when others weep and to rejoice when others rejoice affirms and practices the unity of the body of Christ. Sympathy such as what Paul describes flows from love.*

That said, it is not always easy. One commentator notes that sometimes it’s easier to mourn than to congratulate.* I believe that mourning with someone can be equally difficult. It may be that some have trouble sympathizing with one or both of these situations. Though Paul’s main point is simply to sympathize rather than cover all scenarios, it is worth looking at both scenarios briefly.*

Sometimes mourning with those who mourn is difficult because we desire to rescue people from their pain prematurely. Other times mourning with those who mourn is difficult because we lack the emotional reserves to loan our sympathy (which involves recognizing, affirming, and feeling some of their pain). Other times we have trouble mourning with those who mourn because we have hidden our own grief so deeply in our souls that to connect with their grief would unearth ours. This can be scary or overwhelming.

Sometimes rejoicing with those who rejoice is difficult because we are plagued by jealousy or envy.* Other times we cannot escape our own low state to rise up to meet theirs in sympathy.

The difficulty of sympathy is why it must flow from love. To meet someone where they are at requires that we give to them what we can only receive from the Father: love.

There is a season for everything. Sympathize. God sympathizes with you.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to feel His sympathy: He is mourning with you when you mourn; He is rejoicing with you when you rejoice. Perhaps God wants you to feel His love today. Maybe God wants you to sympathize with someone in your life. Perhaps God wants you to reach out to someone that you missed out sympathizing with. Maybe God wants you to rest more so that you have more emotional reserves. Perhaps God wants to heal you of your grief. Maybe God wants you to reach out to someone who can sympathize with you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 480). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 335). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 449–450). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 411–412). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Romans 12.8

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

There isn’t evidence of the persecution of Christians in Rome at the time of Paul’s letter to the Roman church (though Jewish believers had just returned to Rome after being expelled).* The reason for this reference, scholars believe, draws more for a need for Christians to be ready for persecution, from Paul’s own experience with persecution, and from the words and example of Christ.*

What about our context? Do we ever face the challenge of blessing someone who persecutes us? Do we ever hold the opportunity to choose between blessing and cursing those who persecute us? In my life, I have had difficult bosses, unkind strangers, betraying friends, etc. But, have I ever been persecuted?

This is a profound question. Do we see persecution in a land that makes room for all beliefs, so long as they do not collide? We live in a comfortable space that allows us to be very Christian so long as our beliefs do not conflict with others. We can avoid persecution simply by holding our faith quietly.

Not many others in this world have this opportunity. We may not have the opportunity to hide from persecution forever. The time for boldness and the waning appetite of our culture for bold Christianity may come to an end.

But, whatever the case, and whatever your context, the call is the same: bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

This was a rare perspective in the time of Paul as the Roman law centered on “eye for an eye.”* It’s a rare perspective today too. Words fly back and forth over social media like hand grenades. Silent treatment and a lack of generosity and charity serve as weapons of revenge. Rumors and gossip make effective daggers in today’s world.

While persecution may not come to your door tomorrow, offense may. Regardless if whether you experience persecution or simply a mean person, Christ calls us to respond with blessing.

The call of Christ that Paul reiterates in this verse is not an invitation to avoid retaliation.* It’s not even a call to forgiveness.* Jesus calls each of us to a deeper place: we should actively seek the good of those who persecute us by blessing them.*

Herein lies the revolutionary nature of kingdom living; herein lies one of the most powerful tools for saving the lost.* Blessing those who persecute you is giving good to those who do not deserve it. It’s the same grace that we undeserving sinners received from Christ too. I am so grateful that Jesus blessed me with Himself as I was so very undeserving.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to bless someone who has persecuted you. Perhaps today God wants to help you to see those that you have labeled as “enemy” differently. Maybe today God wants you to remember the high call of Kingdom living. Perhaps today God wants you to receive His empowerment to walk it out. Maybe today is the day to live boldly for Him.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 480). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 334–335). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 449). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 410). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Romans 12.7

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

How many times have you said that you would pray or would be praying for someone and then never did? I’ll confess this difficult truth: there have been times that someone told me about a difficulty going on in their life, like a “good Christian” I said, “I’m so sorry! I’ll be praying for you,” and then my own life happened and I forgot to pray. I’m guilty. Are you?

Paul’s command to be constant in prayer is translated literally from the Greek as persevere in prayer.* Perseverance in prayer may indicate a need to pray even when it’s hard or there are many distractions or when one feels discouraged.* The interpretation be constant in prayer may be fitting as well, however, as prayer was extremely important to Paul.*

Kruse points out,

He prayed that God would open the way for him to visit the Roman believers (1:10), he prayed for his converts (Eph 1:16; Phil 1:9; Col 1:3, 9; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Thess. 3:1; Philem 4), and he prayed with his spirit in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14–15). He urged his converts to pray for him (15:30; Col 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1) and for all the saints (Eph 6:18; 1 Tim. 2:1), and that they be constant in their prayers (12:12; 1 Cor. 7:5; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8; cf. Col 4:12; 1 Tim. 5:5). Paul taught that the Holy Spirit helps believers in their weakness when they do not know what they ought to pray for (8:26).

Paul prayed, well… constantly!

Constantly? I know that in seasons of my life I have complained almost constantly. In other times of life I have sulked, spewed, and soured. But, praying constantly? Why would you do that?

Why did Paul pray so much? Paul’s life, like ours, was full of challenging changes of ups and downs. A diligent prayer life is the only way to make it through the unexpected problems of life without overwhelm.* This doesn’t come easily, however.

Paul’s word choice indicates that there is a level of effort needed to create a habit of prayer.* We must engage our will to engage in this necessary part of the Christian life.* Constant prayer that perseveres requires intention and planning.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to pray for that person that you said you would pray for but haven’t yet. Perhaps God wants you to repent for the times that you haven’t prayed. Maybe God wants to free you from your overwhelm through prayer. Perhaps today God wants you to start a new habit of praying constantly.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 477–478). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 333–334). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 447–448). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 410). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Romans 12.6

Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Have you ever used the word “abhor” before? It’s a unique word with a lot of feeling. When we abhor something, we regard it with hate and disgust. It’s a feeling that should not be easily thrown around. In fact, the word in Greek that Paul uses for abhor is only used once in the whole of the New Testament, in this verse.* Even stronger than our understanding of the english version of abhor, Paul’s Greek usage has to do with a “vehement dislike” or to “strongly abhor.”* Paul is not messing around.

Contrast, Paul suggests that we hold tight to good with all of our might.* It refers to a tenacious attachment to good.* This good he tells us to hold tight to refers to both an attitude of goodness and good deeds that flow out of that attitude.*

We may find that few people would disagree with Paul’s command found in this verse (Romans 12:9b). The disagreement may come, however, when defining what is good, what is evil, and what is love. Love comes into the conversation as these words of Paul come as a follow-up and a first expression of what it is to love genuinely.*

We live in a society that regards love as an emotional happenstance.* Our culture defines love with an array of meanings chosen by convenience to serve self-purpose.* One may fall in love as they fall in a hole in the dark. Biblical love is deeper and more substantial. The love that God describes involves choice.* It is much different than sentimentality.* Love, according to God’s word, is an attitude and a mindset that requires a choice of the will.*

To love the way the Bible describes proves too lofty for humanity.* Who can truly love like Christ loves out of any human effort? No one. The human will is involved in biblical love, but it is not produced by it.* We must engage our wills to allow the Holy Spirit to grow love within us.* Love, thus, is defined on God’s terms, not our own.* The mindset of love will always produce actions that are in alignment with God’s good and perfect will.*

Similarly, evil and good are defined on God’s terms. The person who really loves with the deep intensity of Christian agapē love will hate in the most holy of ways every evil thing.* Knowing this, we must allow God to show us through His word what is good and evil. We must avoid defining what we cannot understand, control, or relate to as evil. We must avoid defining what is easy, convenient, or popular as good.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow His love to shape your appetites for good and evil. Perhaps today God would have you change your mindset toward something that He calls good, or adjust your posture toward something that He calls evil. Maybe today God wants you to repent for calling what is evil good and what is good evil. Perhaps today God wants you to explore His Word to allow Him to define good and evil for you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 475). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 330–331). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 443–444). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 409, 415–416). Zondervan Publishing House.