Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV)
Read Romans 12:9-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Verse 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Verse 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Verse 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Verse 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Verse 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Verse 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Verse 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Verse 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Verse 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Verse 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Verse 20No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Verse 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Devotion
A certain former football coach used to say, “The system works.” What he meant by the system works was that if a starter got hurt, he could plug in their backup and the team could still play just as well. It was the system and not the individual players that mattered .... or at least, that’s what this former coach thought. My guess is that if the system really had worked and if the system had been more important than the individual players he wouldn’t be a former coach.
In Romans 12:9-21 Paul lists a whole bunch of ‘stuff’ that Christians are supposed to do. But we should not make the same mistake as that former coach - it’s the people, not the ‘stuff,’ that are important. All the things Paul lists are activities directed at people. Paul calls on us to love, encourage, contribute, and bless because those activities build people up and open their eyes to God’s transforming love.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may my words and actions build up those I encounter today. Amen.