|
Romans 12:10
|
“Be devoted to one another
in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
|
|
Let’s look at the context. Read Romans
12:1-2,9-13.
Verses 1-2 give us the foundation for
our “one another's.”
1. Our “bodies,” not only
our souls, are to be a willing sacrifice to God. That even means
when we are tired, achy and just don’t feel like it.
2. We are spiritual and
physical beings and God does not necessarily make a distinction here
between the two realms.
a. we offer our
bodies to God and He considers this a “spiritual act
of worship.”
b. another
English translation of the NIV “spiritual” in verse one is
“reasonable” or “informed.”
1.
our self-sacrifice differs from that of an animal.
2.
we offer ourselves knowingly, we understand the purpose of offering
ourselves to God.
3.
animals don’t understand this, they go where led
3. In verse two Paul gives
two commands that help us in knowing/living God’s will.
a. “Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world” (self-centeredness,
sin, greed, etc.)
b. “be
transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Christ-centered,
consideration for others)
Verses 9-13 are the practical commands
that help us live the life of self-sacrifice.
1. “Love must be sincere.”
Not hypocritical, not merely an act.
a. how many
times has someone said, “I’ll be praying for you,” and really
followed through?
b. better not to
say it, than to say it and not do it.
c. another good
option is to pray with them right there on the spot.
2. Hate what is evil.
a. Part of true
love is to love the good and hate the evil.
b. Be careful to
hate the right objects (Eph 6:12)
Verse 9 gives the general command that
“Love must be sincere.” But how do I love?
See verses 10-13 for the specifics
1. “Be devoted to one
another”
a. believers
should have the same kind of love for one another that is present
within a loving, healthy family. We are the family of God.
2. “Honor one another above
yourselves.”
a. Paul is
telling them what genuine love entails.
b. It requires
putting the subject of your love ahead of yourself.
c. It is more
than a feeling, it must have substance. (1 John 3:16-18)
3. As verse 10 above applies
to our fellow follower of Christ, verse 11 tells us how to directly
love the Lord with zeal, fervor and service. Of course we can’t
love the Lord if we aren’t loving each other (1 John 4:20-21)
4. Verse 12 gives three
attributes in three circumstances that believers will find
themselves in. Look at the verse and pick them out. Discuss
briefly.
5. Verse 13 gives
instructions on meeting the needs of the suffering and showing
hospitality.
a. The NIV
translates the Greek as “practice.”
b. The Greek is
better translated “pursue.”
c. This means
that, though hospitality is a gift given to some, it is expected of
all Christians.
1.
kind of like giving.
2.
some people have the gift to give in large amount, but all are
expected to give.
To top of page |
