Faithfulness of the Call In Action

Psalms 133

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

:1

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Revised Common Lectionary Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

Psalm 113

1 Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD, you his servants;

praise the name of the LORD.

2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,

both now and forevermore.

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations,

his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the LORD our God,

the One who sits enthroned on high,

6 who stoops down to look

on the heavens and the earth?

7 He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

8 he seats them with princes,

with the princes of his people.

9 He settles the childless woman in her home

as a happy mother of children.

Praise the LORD.

Todays Text:

9 Love (Agape) must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love (philadelphia). Honor (place in higher status) one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal (eagerness), but keep your spiritual fervor (to be inflamed), serving (submitting to) the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope (confident expectation), patient (endure) in affliction, faithful (persevere)in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice (strive for) hospitality (kindness in welcoming).

14 Bless those who persecute you (attacks your christian beliefs); bless and do not curse (invoke divine harm). 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony (same mindset) with one another.

El Texto de Hoy: Romanos 12:9-16a

9 El amor (agape) debe ser sincero. Aborrezcan el mal; aférrense al bien. 10 Ámense los unos a los otros con amor fraternal (philadelphia), respetándose y honrándose (colocar en un estado superior) mutuamente. 11 Nunca dejen de ser diligentes (excitado para hacer algo); antes bien, sirvan (sometiendo) al Señor con el fervor (fuego) que da el Espíritu. 12 Alégrense en la esperanza (confianza del futuro), muestren paciencia (perseverarse) en el sufrimiento, perseveren (fiel) en la oración. 13 Ayuden a los hermanos necesitados. Practiquen (ser intensional en) la hospitalidad (la amabilidad).

14 Bendigan a quienes los persigan (ataca tus creencias cristianas), bendigan y no maldigan (invocando el castigo de Dios). 15 Alégrense con los que están alegres; lloren con los que lloran. 16 Vivan en armonía (tener el mismo modo de pensar) los unos con los otros.

In the text, Paul is trying to describe what love looks like in action. Why? It seems that Paul might be addressing the same challenges he faced with the Corinthian church… “namely a group of charismatic enthusiasts who had elevated the importance of their gifts and thought of themselves more highly than they should (vs 3).” Or, maybe Paul is trying to paint a model of ministry for each believer...

In - First…forget about what the world taught us, God’s methods are different. Paul is saying that we need to reboot our thinking - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world” - Paul is telling us that in order to understand God’s will, we can no longer do ministry or live the christian life the way we thinks it should be done.

In - Secondly, humans alway seek to elevate their position in society…Paul is reminding us that we are just one piece within a much larger plan of God. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement” vs 3b. In our American culture we can quickly place ourselves on a high pedestal and allow our pride to guide our motives. This is a major challenge, especially within a power centric, individualistic society that idolizes people in positions. Paul is reminding us that each of us is but one small part of a much bigger story…we are playing a role in God’s divine plan. But in whatever role God’s has us in…lets do it to the best ability.

- Thirdly, All that we do should be based on Love…our expressions of love must be acted out in the lives we live. Paul is outlining action steps toward building the kind of love God expects us to have. Notice I said, action steps, that is that it doesn’t happen naturally but requires an intentional effort on our part.

How can we apply this text today?