Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10 says, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  In these next few verses, Paul tells us how we should live our lives as followers of Christ.  First, we are to have a brotherly, or God given love for one another.  We cannot have this type love for others and want anything less than what is best for them.  We are to put them above ourselves. Just as Christ died to save all people, we are to be willing to die to self will to reach others with His message of salvation.  Verse eleven adds, Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Here, Paul is telling us how God expects us to live in the world.  Again, when I say Paul is telling us, we need to acknowledge that is God telling us through Paul.  We are not to do our work half heartedly, but to the best of our ability.  We do this because the way we do our work reflects on God.  If we claim to be followers of Christ and try to do as little as possible to get by at work, this does not show the world that we live by a higher standard.  As God's people, whatever we are doing we represent Him to the world.  Verse twelve continues, Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;   Paul tells us that we need to be a rejoicing people because we have hope in Christ.  This enables us to be patient in tribulation.  When we encounter problems in life, we need to just patiently continue to serve God.  We can do this more effectively if we are in continual prayer with God, seeking His strength to see us through.  Verse thirteen states, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  I believe this means more than paying the preacher, though that is certainly included.  It means we are to help fellow Christians who are in need.  I know we are called to help everyone we can, but we should especially be looking to help meet the needs of fellow believers.  We should willing reach out to those around us with the love of God.  Verse fourteen adds, Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.  Here Paul moves from our fellow Christians to the rest of the world.  We are to bless those who persecute us and not curse them.  We cannot pray for the destruction of others even if they hate us, but we must pray for their salvation. We can never eliminate all the evil from the world as long as people have self will.  Verse fifteen continues, Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. We are to share in the lives of others.  If the have good news, we are to rejoice with them and not be envious of them.  If they are suffering, we are to suffer with them. Verse sixteen says, Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.  I believe that Paul is telling us that we are to treat all people equally, no matter their standing in the world.  If we attempt to live by our standards instead of God's, then we are truly wise in our own conceit, which is not wisdom but a lie.  Verse seventeen adds, Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  We are not to live by the philosophy that says I'll get even with you, but we are to forgive others.  I believe living honest in the sight of everyone means more than financially, but means in every aspect of our lives.  Our actions must be consistent with our words and beliefs. Verse eighteen continues, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  It may be impossible to live at peace with some people, but we need to make sure we aren't the ones who make it impossible.  We are to show the love of God to the world.  Verse nineteen states, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  As followers of Christ, we are to have the same attitude He had on the cross and ask that God forgive those who harm us.  Verse twenty adds, Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  We may want to believe that God does not mean this in all instances, but I don't see an exclusion.  I do not see a concept of let's destroy them before they harm us. Verse twenty-one concludes this thought saying, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  We are to overcome evil through the goodness of God.  I believe that to approach the world any other way as followers of Christ is to give in to evil.