March 18 Day 11
Romans 12:9-12
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
REFLECTION
There are short sections of the New Testament that serve as “min-gospels” because they beautifully encapsulate the essence of the Good News. Galatians 4:4, 1 Timothy 1:15, and famously, John 3:16 are examples. These cut directly to the core of God’s redemptive plan through his Son.
Similarly, Romans 12:9-12 can be read as the Sermon on the Mount in miniature. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5-7 set the highest standard for preaching…but also a true measure of our regeneration in Christ. This perfect sermon is not a “to-do list” for pleasing God; nor does it set an impossible standard to discourage us. Rather, it serves as an illustration of what new life in Christ looks like.
We should read Romans 12:9-12 in the same way: not as prescriptive, but as revealing the new heart Christ gives us, and which the Holy Spirit uses to sanctify us. Anything less than complete commitment to the Lord renders Jesus’ sermon and Paul’s exposition useless. Sincere, devoted, honor, zeal, fervor, hope, patience, and faith are all words exposing the true condition of our hearts.
PRAYER: Lord, make us sincere in our faith. Heal our divided and broken hearts and then reshape them into vessels that can serve you and others in righteousness. Draw us toward your scriptures and then illumine them to help us see our real spiritual condition. We believe, Lord…help us in our unbelief! AMEN
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