Great Exhortations

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends upon you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire upon his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The easiest commands to understand are the hardest to live—and this is precisely where the abundant life is found.

The Abundant Life God Designed Us For

If an abundant life were available to you, what would you give to obtain it? In our last study we considered that salvation encompasses more than rescue from sin, death, and hell. God in salvation seeks to bring the believer into the experience of the abundant life. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. But I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly."

God's aim in salvation is to bring us into that abundant life—the life He designed us for back in Genesis 1 and 2. We know the story: in Genesis 3 the fall brought destruction and death to what God intended. But the Gospel brings restoration. It makes the abundant life accessible again, that we could know it, live in it, experience it, and promote it. Promoting that life is one of the greatest evangelistic tools we have.

From Doctrine to Practice

If we are to experience that life, we must take seriously the exhortations of Romans 12-15. There are about 45 of them in these seventy or so verses—God's instructions about how to live out the abundant life. Romans 1-11 gave us the doctrinal basis, the theology of salvation. Now we come to the practical outworking: what does that doctrine look like lived out in the life of the believer?

It is important to recognize that these things are contrary to our flesh. In Romans 7 we saw that man is at least a dichotomy—body and soul—but I believe man is a tri-chotomy: body, soul, and spirit. When we are made alive by the Spirit of God, our spirit comes alive and is reconnected to God as before the fall. Our spirit wants to follow after God, but this flesh desires what is contrary to God.

Paul describes this in Galatians 5: "The flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these two are contrary, so that you do not do the things that you want to do." In Romans 7 he cried, "The good things I want to do, I don't do; the bad things I don't want to practice, that's what I do. O wretched man that I am!" We all identify with that conflict.

A Radically Different Way of Thinking

This passage presents a radically different way of thinking. Paul opened the chapter: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice... And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may be able to show forth what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Our carnal nature does not want to do what this passage commands. We are completely self-centered by default—we think about ourselves all the time. But Paul shows this is the path into the abundant life. We must bring our minds under the jurisdiction of the new heart God has given us by the Spirit of His grace, so we are governed by God and no longer by our flesh.

The most difficult passages of the Bible to apply are often the clearest to understand. Romans 12-15 needs very little interpretation. You don't need to exegete the Greek to grasp "love without hypocrisy" or "submit to the governing authorities." The hardest texts to apply are the easiest to understand.

Love Without Hypocrisy

"Let love be without hypocrisy." Recognize that Paul is speaking to Christians—to the church, the body of Christ. Our love is to be unfeigned and sincere. It seems obvious—"of course love should be without hypocrisy"—yet honestly we often put on a show of love rather than actively exercising the compassion of God through our lives.

The primary principle of the Christian faith is love, and that love must be genuine and real. One reason people leave the church is they say, "They aren't very loving." That should challenge us, because in John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this will all know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." This is the sign that ought to identify the followers of Christ.

The apostle John adds in 1 John 4:8, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." And our love should respond to the way God loved us—not merely saying "I love you" but demonstrating it: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another." This is the ethos of the Christian faith. We know all this. The difficulty is actively living it out.

Abhor Evil, Cling to Good

"Abhor what is evil." Although love fulfills the law, we do not throw away the commandments. The law of God still governs who we are and what we do, even though we are not made righteous by keeping it. We are to love with sincerity, yet also detest and hate what is evil. It seems strange to place love next to hatred, but there are things we are to deplore.

Notice the verse assumes there is such a thing as evil. We live in a world that questions whether evil exists, that says no real standard of righteousness applies to everyone. But there are moral absolutes—things absolutely wrong all the time. People ask, "Who decides?" As Christians, we know the One who decides is the moral Lawgiver, God Himself. To abhor evil means to hate the things God hates. God hates sin, a haughty look, feet that run toward evil. The Christian is not merely to turn from those things but to hate them.

Every time Scripture gives a "put off," it also gives a "put on." So with "Cling to what is good." There are things God declares good, and we are to hold fast to them. But how do we know what is good? God decides, and He has revealed it. Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good... but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God."

If we want to cling to what is good, we must know it by spending time in God's Word. We will not know what is good merely by our hearts. It frightens me when a Christian says, "I'm just following my heart," because Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is desperately wicked. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death." Our ideas of what is good can be wrong, so we must know God and how He has revealed what is good.

A Diverse Family Called to Affection

In verses 10 and following, Paul works out how to cling to good and love without hypocrisy. "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Love works itself out in our attitude toward others—tenderhearted affection within the body of Christ.

"Brotherly love" is the Greek philadelphia, and it pictures the church as a family—more diverse than any earthly family. When you became a Christian you entered a family of people who look, talk, think, and act differently than you. Look around the room: these are people you might never associate with otherwise, yet God in Christ makes us a family and tells us to be kindly affectionate to one another.

This is not our default. We don't fall into tender affection, because we are selfish, arrogant, and prideful. That's why Paul began, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God." This is impossible apart from God's help. Imagine what the church and the world would look like if we endeavored by the Spirit to do this. We don't need to imagine it—we need to ask: are we actually seeking, by God's help, to walk in this love?

The first fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is love; from it flows joy, peace, gentleness, and the rest. The evidence of God's Spirit in us is love. Are we actively renouncing our arrogance, selfishness, and deceit, bringing them to the cross to be crucified, saying, "God, we want to walk in Christ-like love"?

Outdoing One Another in Honor

"In honor giving preference to one another." The ESV says, "Outdo one another in showing honor." We should be tripping over each other to show honor. Philippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." This is not our natural tendency—and you can gauge your default by how you react when you're tired.

I have four kids and a wife. When one of my kids decides it's time for me to wake up, my first thought is, "I don't want to get up!" I am not naturally others-centered. God brought my spouse and children into my life to refine and sanctify me. People say, "I don't want to marry or have kids because I'm selfish." You're right—and once you do, the jackhammer of God comes in and says, "Let's get rid of some of this stuff."

This is not our default; let's confess it. Jesus exhorts in Luke 9:23, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him take up his cross, deny himself and follow Me daily." It's not a one-time thing but every day. He said take the lowest seat (Luke 14:10), and that whoever desires to be great must be a servant of all (Matthew 20:26). This is a radically different way of thinking, but it is the way into the abundant life.

Diligent, Fervent, Serving the Lord

"Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Simply put: don't be lazy. Our natural tendency is laziness—to do only what makes us feel good. Here Paul says never be caught lacking zeal, especially in serving the Lord. Be hot in the Spirit and actively engaged in serving God.

If we are to experience the abundant life, we must be serving the Lord. If our whole Christian experience is sitting in a seat on Sunday morning, we will never experience the abundant life. As we saw in 1 Peter 4, as good stewards of God's grace we are to minister—to serve—with the gifts He has given us. Every Christian has gifts by God's grace. The question is whether we are using them for Him, actively and fervently.

Patient in Tribulation Through Hope and Prayer

"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer." It is my conviction that the middle clause depends on the other two. To be patient in trouble, we must be rejoicing in hope and continuing steadfastly in prayer. Every human being experiences difficulty. The abundant life is not the removal of hardship. Paul told Timothy that all who desire to live godly will suffer, and Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation." Any preacher who promises a trouble-free life is a liar.

First, we have hope. Biblical hope is absolute certainty—because of the cross, we know with assurance we will be with Christ for eternity. This life is not all there is. Those who believe this world is all there is are depressed at the core. But the Christian rejoices, knowing there will be no suffering and no tears in His presence; He will wipe away every tear. In any difficulty we connect it to the cross.

Second, we can be patient as we continue steadfastly in prayer, for prayer brings us to recognize God is on the throne. We may not know everything He's doing, but we know He is Lord and He is good. Sometimes tribulation itself drives us to pray as never before; may we continue there. Romans 8:25: "If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

Sharing and Hospitality

"Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." The word "distributing" is koinōneō, related to koinōnia, the word for fellowship in Acts 2:42. In the American church we think fellowship means a baseball game or a beach trip with Christians—"we had some sweet fellowship." But koinōnia means to share in one another's needs within the body of Christ.

The application comes in Acts 2:45: "they sold their possessions and goods, and divided among them all, as anyone had need." That is what fellowship looks like practically—taking care of those in the body who have need. They were so committed that some sold what they weren't using to meet the needs of their family in Christ, because we love without hypocrisy, not just saying "be warm and filled" but actively caring.

I recognize this is a radical transformation of our American thinking. Years ago, teaching Acts 2, I received emails saying, "That sounds like communism." I said, "Wait—that's biblicism, not communism. It's taking care of your family, because we're the body of Christ."

"Given to hospitality." That word "given" means pursuing it to lay hold of it—the same word translated "persecution" a few verses later. The Christian is to ravenously go after hospitality. Many say, "I don't have the gift of hospitality." It doesn't matter; pursue it and make it part of your life. Acts 2:46 shows the early church "breaking bread from house to house, eating their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." That church was experiencing the abundant life—in hospitable community.

Our culture exalts separation: garages open to eat our cars, we slip inside, never see our neighbors, hide behind walls and ADT signs, never letting anyone into our world. That culture is under the sway of the wicked one, who does not want us to enter the abundant life.

Bless Those Who Persecute You

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." What's your default response to someone mean to you? Retaliate—and we justify it with "an eye for an eye." We see this in marriage: a spouse says something off, you fire one back, they fire back, and now you're having a wonderfully "abundant" marriage.

Paul isn't inventing this. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you." And He acted it out: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," blessing the very people who drove nails into His hands. Why does He command this? Matthew 5:45: "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Blessing those who persecute us is evidence that we are God's children.

Rejoice, Weep, and Live in Harmony

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Sometimes rejoicing is easy—weddings are a joy. But it's harder to rejoice when the one rejoicing got the promotion or the gift you didn't. It's harder still to weep with those who weep, because sometimes we want to rejoice when others weep—"they got what they deserved." Paul gives no conditions; he simply says rejoice and weep with them.

"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." Paul exhorts us to live harmoniously, echoing Philippians 2:2-3. The New Living Translation puts it well: "Do not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people, and don't think you know it all."

Never Be an Aggressor

"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men." Our minds run to "an eye for an eye." But Jesus, in Matthew 5:38-39, said, "Do not resist an evil person, and if someone smacks you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also." In my own strength I cannot do this. This is where we constantly cry out, "God, enable me by Your grace."

"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Make every effort to live at peace—never be the aggressor. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek... Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." Our Lord is the Prince of Peace.

Vengeance Belongs to God

"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." This is an issue of faith. Do we really believe God will be just, that He will take care of every wrong one day? That faith is the only way we can refrain from avenging ourselves.

We don't need to be taught to retaliate; it's innate. One child pushes another, and instantly: "Well, she did this to me." My daughter Evangeline is the retribution queen—nobody taught her that. It's just who we are. So we submit to the truth that God is Lord and He will repay. Vengeance is His, not ours.

"Therefore, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.'" Commentators debate the meaning of heaping coals—some say hospitality, some say God's retribution. Whatever it is, we are trusting God to hold these things in His hands and laying it down: "God, it's in Your control."

Our minds go to, "What if the government is wicked?" We'll address that next week in chapter 13. Remember, Paul wrote this to Christians in Rome under the emperor Claudius Caesar—the very man who would behead Paul a few years later. You think you live under a wicked regime; you don't.

Overcome Evil With Good

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Again, this is an issue of faith. Do we really believe evil can be overcome with good? The greatest example is Jesus on the cross—He overcame evil with good. The path into the abundant life is where we say, "God, in my own strength I cannot do these things, but by Your power enable me to do exactly what I see in this passage, that I might experience and promote the life You came to give."

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your great grace—grace that enables us to be more and better than what we are in our default. God, enable us by Your grace to live these things out this week. Maybe as we drive to work tomorrow and someone cuts us off, our immediate reaction is to react in the flesh. But would You enable us by the quickening of Your Spirit to bring that thought captive to the obedience of Your Son. Work in us, Lord, that we would work these things out by Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.