Romans 12:9-21 Counter Intuitive

Introduction

“Henry Ford faced falling demand for his cars and high worker turnover, so in 1914 he did something that probably made other barons of industry go pale: he doubled his employees' wages.

Crazy? Well, within a year, turnover dropped by a factor of more than 20 while productivity nearly doubled, and demand for Ford cars boomed because Ford's own workers could now afford the product they were making.”-by Sunny Bonnell, Co-Founder, Motto

On the opposite side of the coin:

“Tony Hsieh was the CEO of the online retailer Zappos for 20 years and pioneered a number of out-of-the-box work policies to foster innovation and productivity.

One of them was "The Offer," a program that offered new employees who decided they were unhappy a $2,000 bonus to quit following a four-week training period.

The practice was designed to weed out those who wouldn't be as committed to and passionate about their work, thereby bolstering overall happiness in the company's workforce.”- Andy Cross/The Denver Post

Here are two examples of counter intuitive thinking.

Christianity tends to be seen as counterintuitive

The definition of counterintuitive- something that goes against what you believe would be logical, or something that goes against common sense.

As Christians we worship a crucified & resurrected Messiah- our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

“1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

“Luke 9:24 tells us, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

That is rather counterintuitive.

Paul was a counterintuitive apostle.

He had been a Pharisee

He imprisoned and killed Christians

At his conversion no one trusted him

Yet Jesus called on Paul to become one of the most ardent pillars in the early Christian church.

Paul writes to the church in Rome while on his third missionary journey in Corinth sometime around late A.D. 56 or early 57.

Paul had been following Jesus for over twenty years and the overall purpose of the letter to the Romans was to prepare the influential church to labor alongside Paul in changing the world through the proclamation of the Gospel message.

The theme of Romans Chapter 12 which we will study today is encapsulated in the statement, “In light of what God has done, here is how we should live.”

How we are called to live seems absolutely counterintuitive to the world.

The way we think and act about love, evil, relationships, affliction, hospitality and revenge must be submitted to God.

God calls us to be counterintuitive in some of these areas and challenges us to be honest and genuine in others.

The entire book of Romans poses 88 questions throughout 16 chapters.

Only 5 chapters in the book pose no questions for the reader.

Chapter 12 is one of them and what this aspect points out for me is that Paul is being very directive in his communication.

He is not tossing out a bread crumb trail of questions leading readers toward a conclusion.

Rather he is telling the Roman congregation

#1. This is what we are to be

and

#2. This is what we must do

The message centers around Christian service toward one another and love for each other and then what we must do in our communities and indeed the wider world.

And much of it is counterintuitive as you will see.

#1 What We Are To Be

“9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

There are three items in this first verse to break down:

Sincere lovers

Haters of evil

Cling to good

It is October now and for many kids they look forward to Halloween.

I am a Charlie Brown fan and I always enjoy watching “It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!”

PLAY VIDEO CLIP- LINUS

Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin and he tells Sally,

“Linus: "Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

A. Sincere love

Paul uses the same word “sincere”. Greek (anypokritos) adjective

Linus hits it solid- sincerity means there is not even a hint of hypocrisy.

Sincere love is not fake or disingenuous.

Have you ever known a person who was fake and you could spot them from a mile away?

Personal story: I recall my first office job. I had no idea about “office politics”. I just figured everyone did their job and got along as best as they could.

I wondered why people laughed so hard at stupid jokes the supervisor would throw out. I didn't know how to play the game as it were and it showed.

I never have learned the art of sucking up- which I am okay with.

Paul would affirm this as far as it relates to how we should feel about brothers & sisters in Christ- Our Love Must Be Sincere.

We must love the body of Christ sincerely without any hypocrisy.

Paul pulls on the reins before we go too far with the theme of sincere love.

B. Haters of evil

We are not to love to so far as to turn a blind eye toward sin especially in a brother or sister in Christ.

Love is not blind (although there are a lot of songs titled as such)- We are to hate evil.

If we truly love a brother in Christ any evil must be exposed.

We do not love him if we enable sin by omission of action.

We are not to have a vengeful hatred.

The word “hate” in the Greek is (apostygeo)- one meaning is- “to be disgusted”

We ought to be disgusted to see evil in the life of a follower of Jesus.

C. Cling to good

Paul uses the word “Cling”

Greek word is (kollao)- means glue, cement, join, make fast, indissolubly bound

We are to be “glued” to what is good

We are to be cemented to it

We ought to indissolubly bound to what is good

Bottom line- We are to be people who

Sincerely love

Genuinely, authentically

Without even a hint of hypocrisy

Hate what is evil

We cannot love a brother/sister in Christ if we are not willing to do what it takes to help them purify their lives of sin

Cling to what is good

We must be glued to what is good

And what does this look like?

“Philippians 4:8 instructs us, “8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”

As counterintuitive as it seems we are to bring these attributes to our communities and into a world that hates us and all we stand for.

But for now Paul’s focus remains on the family of God and what we are to be.

“10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

This is an easy concept to understand but complex to live out.

Two key words are present in this sentence:

“Devoted” Greek word (Philostorgos) meaning- “loving dearly, affectionate, tenderly loving”

“This is the only place this (Greek) word occurs in the entire New Testament. It comes from two words that, put together, refer to the mutual love of parents and children, or of husbands and wives. In other words, this is the tender love of a closely-knit family.” Picirilli, R. E. (1975). The Book of Romans (p. 249). Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications.

“Brotherly Love” Greek word (Philadelphia) meaning- not figurative brother-like love, but the love of those united in the Christian brotherhood.

Devotion to one another and brotherly love are demonstrated by honoring your brothers/sisters in Christ above yourself.

Jesus instructs his disciples in John 13:13-15 saying,

“13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

If we are to be devoted to one another we must be willing to serve on another.

Jesus’ devotion to us took him to the cross, it pierced his his hands and feet.

His devotion led him to take the sins of the world upon his shoulders and led him to taste the bitter agony of death....but not for long.

We must emulate our Lord & Savior and be devoted in brotherly love honoring one another above ourselves.

This is what we are to be.

“11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Three aspects are present in verse 11

Eagerness

Fervor

Service

Paul first states “never be lacking in zeal,”

The idea conveyed is do not be slothful.

He exhorts believers to be enthusiastic, ready and eager to serve.

Paul is condemning those who are slow to serve- who procrastinate from serving or drag their feet

The next words address the level of fervor.

Our hearts should burn for the things of God.

The spiritual temperature of individuals and the Christian community should be stoked and kept at a high level all the time.

Lastly, Paul pointedly states we are to serve the Lord

Our eagerness, our zeal and fervor should all be used in a common direction of serving our Lord.

This is what we are to be.

People of eagerness, fervor and service to our Lord.

“12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

What does it mean to be “joyful”?

Paul here is urging us to have a constant gladness in our hearts.

Not a giddy, slap happy, smile and laugh at everything

We are to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice

The Greek verb “Be” is a continuing action.

So we are to “be” continuing to have a gladness in our hearts as our hope lies in eternity.

As Christians we can have hope in all kinds of circumstances that the world just cannot comprehend.

It is this “joyful hope” that flows right into the next words

Patient in affliction.

We are to be patient when afflicted.

Patient waiting upon God

Patient as we endure affliction from others

Patient with those whom we love and often lash out at when afflicted

Finally Paul tells us we are to be faithful in prayer.

Remember, this is a section about our Christian service to our brothers & sisters in Christ.

What does faithfulness mean to you?

I suppose it depends on who you are to that person.

If your son or daughter was in the hospital you would probably faithfully be with them day in and day out.

You might possibly see that your presence at their bedside was integral to their recovery.

But would you do the same for a Christian brother or sister?

What if your daily prayer was integral in their spiritual fervor and enthusiasm?

What if you knew they would lead one of your children to know Jesus you would be faithful to pray they spiritual fervor and enthusiasm continue?

I have to believe many of us struggle with each of these three items:

Joyfulness

Patience in affliction

Faithfulness in prayer

“13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Paul wraps up his instructions on Christians serving one another as it pertains to hospitality.

He writes “Share with God’s people who are in need”

I think this is a deceptively straightforward verse.

What are we to share exactly?

Many of us read this verse and we immediately think of financial resources or other material needs.

Yet I assert Paul is telling us we are to share ourselves, our friendship, our acceptance and love especially with our brothers & sisters in Christ.

The Greek word Paul uses (Koinoneo) does mean “share” but it also means “participate”

Paul gives a two word sentence to end the verse saying “Practice hospitality”.

Hospitality- Greek (Philoxenia) - To receive a stranger as a guest

This is a compound Greek word- Philos= Friend Xenos= Stranger, foreigner

Brothers & sisters, our friendship, our love, our caring, loving acceptance means more than all the money in the world when one of God’s family is hurting and in need.

We are to be people of hospitality.

We are to welcome strangers as friends.

We are to participate with the family of God who are in need and not isolate or just throw money at them and think that cures all ills.

#2 What We Are To Do

These first verses addressed Christian service to one another but Christian service also involves duties toward the unsaved in the world around us not just to our fellow Christians.

Paul shifts into a series of counterintuitive statements beginning in verse 14.

Attitude Toward Others

“14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

We cannot serve a lost and dying world if we lash out at them.

Most assuredly they will persecute us.

The world does not understand Jesus nor his followers.

We are exceedingly counterintuitive to them and as such the lost persecute that which they do not understand.

But Paul tells us, we are to bless and not curse- this is what we are to do.

What does it mean to not curse- it means refrain from the temptation to wish evil upon those who abuse us.

Is this challenging? No doubt but Jesus lived the most challenging life of all time carrying our sins upon his shoulders- Jesus did not curse his persecutors but blessed and He is our pattern.

“15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Rejoicing seems easy but it most certainly can be a point of contention

Imagine an unsaved co-worker who sucks up to the boss continually and mistreats you, gossiping about you or taking credit for your work suddenly is given a promotion that you deserve.

Can you rejoice with those who rejoice?

Reaching the lost means we have a real concern for their welfare and their gladness is thereby an occasion for rejoicing as well.

Mourning with those who mourn may actually be easier as sympathy with the grieving is welcomed.

Yet, this verse also includes people who may be considered enemies.

If we are not to curse our enemies then neither should we be glad when they suffer.

We are tempted to gloat and think Ha! You got what you deserved!

Paul tells us that is not what we are to do- we are to rejoice even with our enemies when they rejoice and sympathize even with our enemies when they grieve and mourn.

“16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

Verse 16 speaks our overall mindset and attitude.

Here Paul is referring to harmony within the church- this too is service to sinners.

The Christian church must be a place of harmony and unity in order to reach a lost and dying world.

Nothing done as much harm to our service to reaching and minister to the lost as much as an argumentative fellowship that cannot get along.

If the world is to respect the church and hear the Gospel message they must first see that it works in our lives before they will ever want what we have in theirs.

We are to have a harmonious spirit.

Actions Toward Those Who Oppose Us

“17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”

Again, another counterintuitive practice of the Christian.

We are not to “pay back” or recompense evil for evil.

We are not to reciprocate.

While Paul says “anyone” certainly he had the unsaved in view as they were most likely to treat us badly.

This practice, while counterintuitive, is a frequent Biblical teaching.

It has been said

Return evil for good is devil-like

Return evil for evil and good for good is man-like

But to return good for evil is Christ-like.

This is what we are called to do- to be Christ-like.

The second half of this verse is translated literally as “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Basically Paul means that if when we are mistreated or reproached and accept it with submission all men will agree that is good and honorable conduct.

Personal story: As a Navy Chaplain I try to always be careful in conduct. Even this past week I had an instance whereas a 1st class petty officer sent a rather abrasive e-mail tasking me. This should never happen but I did not react to it. I submitted and did exactly what was requested. The next day our Divisional Chief stopped by and told me he “lit her up” for that e-mail. I mentioned I was not really offended and he said he was offended enough for bother of us! In all of this I pray my actions were honorable.

This gives a testimony to Jesus and our conduct will be seen as right in the eyes of everyone.

“18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

This verse is often misinterpreted placing the emphasis on “possible”.

Actually, the word “you” should be emphasized.

In many cases we will not live in peace in the world around us.

But as far as it depends do let the responsibility of breaking peace fall upon us.

We are to keep our side of the peace- we are not to go on the offensive.

“Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers”

This is counterintuitive in a world around us that is offended by everything!

Abraham Lincoln said, “We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.”

“19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

“21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The last verses we will look at today really measure how much do we trust God?

Overall God will right the wrongs done in this world not us.

Paul references an Old Testament scripture (Proverbs 25:21-22) about what our good actions are like for the lost.

As we minister to them and do good to them it is like burning coals to them

Sometimes they react with even greater anger but sometimes with remorse and repentance.

And so we do not refrain taking revenge with the expectant hope of seeing our enemies suffer God’s wrath but with the ultimate hope of winning them to faith in Jesus Christ.

So when this happens, when what we do is such a powerful testimony to Jesus that someone who is lost comes to faith in Jesus then literally evil is overcome with good as verse 21 tells us.

CONCLUSION

Paul, writing to the Romans, inviting them to be co-workers of spreading the Gospel message provides instruction regarding:

What we are to be- to each other and to the wider world

and

2. What we are to do- when faced with persecution, abuse & reproach

We are too are invited to be co-workers sharing the Gospel message about Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

We learned from these verses how we ought to treat our brothers & sisters in Christ.

We are to have sincere, brother/sisterly love for one another for how can we love a sinful world if we cannot even love each other?

We are to be counterintuitive even as Jesus was:

We are to do as Jesus in 1 Peter 2:23 “23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

Our Christian lives are counterintuitive to the world and makes no sense to the world.

I pray we live a counterintuitive life in Christ and as we do may the world be captivated by this testimony to Jesus through:

Who we are called to be

and

What we are called to do