To Rome, with love
Jonathan Fleming
May 12, 2023
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Romans 12: 9-21 (NRSVA)
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ 20 No, ‘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.’ 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let love be from the core of your being. Let love be the centrepiece of your friendships. Let love swallow up indifference. Let love be forgiving. Let love be humble. Let love be generous. There is a lot of love in this part of Paul’s letter!
What a wonderful world we could live in, if we all offered a little more love…
Imagine a world where love triumphed over lawsuits, keyboard warriors, violence and hurt.
Imagine a world where responding to an enemy in love was seen in a warm meal and a glass of fresh water.
Imagine a world where the whole world realised that we love because God first loved us.
Imagine a world where the whole Earth realised that in recognising the needs of others (even our enemies), and forgiving those who wronged us and loving others in spite of their misdeeds, we were doing exactly what Jesus did for us…
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank you for loving us so much.
Thank you for being prepared to go to the ends of the Earth to show that love for us
Thank you for showing us that love conquers all…
Lord Jesus Christ,
Help us to love others in the same way.
Help us to make it possible for love to conquer hate.
May love be our default response.
May love always win.
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