Quit Striving!

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, patien in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13)

What do we strive for as Christians in our daily walk? The above is just a portion of his exhortations to us found In Romans 12, verses 9 – 20. Take a few moments to read the rest – I have it at the bottom of this post.

Paul gives us a comprehensive checklist of specific things we can focus on. Most of these apply to how we interact with others and notice Paul isn’t saying it’s how we act with other Christians. It is how we should strive to interact with the world:

• Let love be genuine.
• Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
• Love one another with brotherly affection.
• Outdo one another in showing honor.
• Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
• Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
• Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
• Live in harmony with one another.
• Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
• Never be wise in your own sight.
• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

(Read the rest of Chapter 12:14-20)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and 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 on 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 on his head.”