How church folks supposed to act!

Christian behavior

Romans 12:14-21

Introduction: Paul has taught the doctrine of God to the Christians at Rome in chapters 1 -11. Now he is teaching them and us our duty to the will of God as it concerns us.

Romans (Exhortation to Live the Christian Life (12:1–21))

There are 3 sections here: 12:1–2 on yielding oneself as a living sacrifice, 12:3–8 on ministering in the church by using one’s spiritual gifts, 12:9–21 on love for insiders and outsiders

Paul states that church folk must have a:

1) Speaking Love, vs 14 -

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Bless - "eulogeo" - speak well of, celebrate with praise;

The exhortation is to bless our persecutors in the sense of returning kindness and love to those who mistreat us because of our testimony to the Lord Jesus.The verb is present imperative which commands an habitual action, “Be constantly blessing.

Curse - is a word intended to bring about a negative result for another. to pronounce a curse upon.

2) Sympathizing Love, vs.15

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Sympathize - to be in keeping; accord; or harmony; to share in suffering or grief,

3) Same Love, vs.16a - 16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

literally, “thinking the same thing with respect to one another.”

a common and well-understood feeling of mutual allowance and kindness.” It is not uniformity but u-na-nim-ity of which Paul is speaking here. Unanimity is agreement by all people involved.

4) Stooping Love, 16b -

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Don’t be arrogant; feeling of unwarranted importance. But

Be humble;

5) Spiritual Love. vs.17-19

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Recompense - repay, pay back; to repay someone, whether positively or negatively, depending upon what the individual deserves

6) Sharing Love, vs.20-21

20 Therefore gif thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.