The next few verses are so packed with instructions, I'm going to take them in small groups. Try to keep in mind God's mercy and His grace to us through Christ when we read these commands. He's not going to leave us alone to do it by ourselves.
Romans 12:9-13 NIV
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Hate evil. America has been making evil look good and shunning people who are good. It's getting harder to be a Christian in the USA. Yet the church in America is foundering while the Church in the prosecuted countries are flourishing. We need to cling to what is good because of what Christ has done for us.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Honoring another above ourselves is contrary to human nature. It's very hard for to let someone go first. However we have Christ's example to follow. He is God, yet he died for us.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
This is tough. Especially when things are going from bad to worse. We must trust Him and keep serving.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
This hope is not the kind that says, "I hope I get a pony for Christmas." It is a trust in a sure thing. My hope is in the Lord, not government, not jobs or earthly relationships. When one gets true grasp on that hope, then patience in affliction becomes easier because one realizes it's all going to work out for their benefit.
Prayer cannot be neglected. I'm convicted that I have a poor prayer life. I do pray periodically throughout the day, but I don't have a specific time that is set aside for prayer. That needs to change.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Everything we have is from God. (Romans 11:36) Since it all belongs to Him we need to share it with brothers and sisters in Christ that are in need. Hospitality will be a natural outpouring of this sharing.
God Bless.
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