“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.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21
Today you will note the same scripture passage that we had yesterday.
The only difference is that I have put it in more of a ‘list’ format.
Imagine this is your “To-Do” list.
A bit overwhelming isn’t it?
Here is where we come to the ‘broken record’ part of the message.
Apart from the enabling power of God’s Holy Spirit working in me I cannot do this list.
I even struggle wrapping my brain around where to begin.
As I remain in Christ and in His love I don’t have to sweat where the starting line is.
Each and every day you and I encounter opportunities to ‘live the list’ by circumstances and events that present themselves to us.
It is precisely at those moments in time that we are faced with the choice.
We can respond out of our own strength and power (or weakness and impotence) or we can respond out of our abiding relationship with Christ and His accompanying strength and power.
In today’s vernacular, the choice should be what is called a ‘no-brainer’.
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