Lost in the shuffle of moving into college life was Josh’s 19th birthday on Saturday. I used to think that Josh and I were pretty much identical, but he has grown to be his own man and the extrovert that I will never be. God is shaping him and molding him to become a dynamic leader. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
From the ROTC students who clearly directed traffic for dorm move-in, to the student leaders who met us at the dorms to carry all our stuff (I did not carry a single box to a dorm room), to the university President who photo bombed Anna’s picture with her roommate, the entire experience made a parent feel incredibly blessed to have students attending there. Thank you for the intentional extra effort.
Romans 12:9c
[9] hold fast to what is good. (ESV)
Left to myself, my default is negativity, grumbling, complaining, whining, and just general grumpiness. It is much easier to find the bad in life and in people than it is to find the good–and then to hold fast to it.
Fortunately, I am no longer left to myself. I am indwelt by the very Spirit of Jesus who has forgiven me and made me new. By His strength I am able to overcome old modes of thinking, release the bad, and hold fast to that which is good. My heart now tends much more toward gratitude, focusing on what I have, rather than what I don’t have. Jesus has made the difference.
There is still a strong gravitational pull toward the bad, and sometimes I give in. But the power of Jesus is greater and enables me more and more to hold fast to what is good.
I have listened to the audio version of this book time and time again. It never gets old. Brother Yun was a leader in planting underground churches in Communist China. He is a prime illustration of my personal conviction that God’s power is for God’s mission, and those sold out to God’s mission will be those who personally experience God’s power. This gentleman laid his life on the line time and time again for the sake of the Gospel. The truth is that my commitment to the mission is not to be any different, just because I live in a different context. I too am called to sacrifice. Because of how Brother Yun’s commitment to the Gospel challenges me to go deeper, The Heavenly Man makes the cut of 20 “Must Pack Books”.
Romans 12:9b
[9] Abhor what is evil;
“Abhor” = to regard with disgust and hatred.
Not only must we have eyes to see people the way God does with love (see previous post), we must also have eyes to see sin the way God does with disgust.
That word “abhor” is STRONG. We are to hate sin, to be disgusted by it. Too often we choose to be entertained by it.
Romans 12:9
[9] Let love be genuine. (ESV)
Scenario: You publicly “make nice” with someone you inwardly despise, giving the appearance of love for them. You then turn around and privately talk about them in a way that is anything but loving. In this scenario there is a disconnect between the public and the private–a lack of wholeness. The word “integer” from which we get our word integrity refers to personal wholeness–who we are publicly is who we are privately. We are whole. Our lack of genuine love is ultimately a lack of integrity. I must confess that as a pastor I have gotten pretty good at the fake love mentioned in this scenario. I can play the part of the caring shepherd without the genuine heart. I need an infusion of God’s genuine love–the capacity to see people as He sees them and to love them the way He loves them.
All right. I know this is cheating to claim a whole series for one of my top 20 “must pack” books, but this is my blog and I can do what I want. John MacArthur and I disagree on some things, especially in regard to the ministry of the Holy Spirit today. However, his commentaries are consistently my “go to” for in-depth and yet practical biblical exegesis. No fluffy stuff here, just good biblical scholarship. I am a better student of the Bible because of his commentaries. Therefore, his set of commentaries makes the cut of 20 “must pack” books.
I was confronted by Romans 12:9-21 in my Bible reading today. The section has the sub-title “The Marks of a Christian”. If that is true (and of course it is) then there is a lot of room for self-examination and repentance here. The bar is high and it goes far deeper than outward appearance and penetrates to the very depths of our hearts. Take a moment to read this rich passage and maybe do a little bit of personal inventory of your own:
Romans 12:9-21
[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
Over the next few weeks my intent is to take each of these characteristics and write a bit about my own struggle and progress. Next post on this will address “Let love be genuine.” Would love to hear from you as well.
With My Own Eyes 