…not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
– Romans 12:11-13
We all know what it is like to live in community with other people. Relationships beyond our family are made through work, through recreational activities, and through various groups with which we associate. There are also relationships formed through what we call “church.” These are people who, like you, are seeking to follow Jesus in alignment with a community of faith. When we form relationships in other facets of life, there are often no clear expectations or code of conduct offered in advance. Such things kind of form depending on the circumstances and the people involved. In contrast, relationships in the church come with clear guidance as revealed in scripture. This is what the apostle Paul is conveying in these verses.
I have attempted (though largely not succeeded) to write subjectively in reflecting on Romans 12. The words have been massaged into my mind and soul for several weeks now. As I read again these verses, a number of thoughts impress me. The first is that in my participation in the community of faith I am, above all else, serving the Lord. What I do may benefit someone else, and most likely benefits me as well. Nevertheless, what I do, I do for the glory of Jesus Christ. When I remember that, suddenly everything becomes more important and more urgent. Paul says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” If inspiration is needed for our service to the body, setting our eyes on Jesus should be all we need.
Paul’s words also direct me to “persevere in tribulation.” If I claimed that I have been persecuted for my faith, Christians in some parts of the world would laugh. They would have a right to. Followers of Jesus in many African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries literally put their lives on the line by being Christian. The worst I face is being part of a faith that is increasingly mocked by the surrounding culture. There is a near 100% chance I will live out my life without ever having to choose between denying Christ and having my life taken from me. Even so, many in the church find constant cultural pressure to be enough to adopt a lukewarm approach to Christianity. I don’t want to be guilty of that. Jesus has given far too much to redeem me for me to turn around and be casual in my witness.
This points also to the exhortation to “rejoice in hope.” As Christians we know where God is taking things. We know of the glorious, perfect ending. We know, as Paul put it in Romans 8, that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” As much as we tend to focus on the present, Jesus wants us to not lose sight of the future. I have experienced enough of God’s faithfulness in life to not be trapped in nearsightedness when my circumstances are unpleasant. To borrow a thought from Frank Turek in his book Stealing from God, God is not finished writing the story of our redemption. It makes no sense to stop mid-story and complain that it hasn’t turned out well.
Finally I am reminded of the need to be committed to prayer. Prayer is never the least a Christian can do; prayer is the most we can do. While with my heart and mind I am covering things in prayer, my hands need to be busy supporting fellow Christians in their need and extending hospitality in the manner that Jesus would. Not a day goes by that isn’t filled with chances to do these things. Many times our praying, giving and welcoming can be done spontaneously. In the midst of normal circumstances, God opens doors to be Christ for our brothers and sisters and for those who do not yet know Jesus.
These few verses of scripture can seem so simple, but they are rich with essential wisdom regarding how Jesus has designed his church to function. May God give us grace to let each phrase, each brief exhortation, capture our attention and provoke us to more faithful expressions of the redeemed life.
See you along the Winding Path.
