THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE BELIEVER
In society
Romans chapter 12: 9-21
This section expands the second part of the central command of the Word of God: to love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-40, John 13:34, 15:12).
In relation to other brothers in the faith:
A hypocritical and insincere love is nothing more than a mask; it is not love and certainly is not as Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
To abhor, to hate, to be disgusted with, is the opposite of to love, and must be directed to all that is evil. This requires discernment in the light of Scripture. Like love, revulsion to evil must be genuine and sincere, and is expressed so that others may know. Whatever it is, a believer must cling to what is good, figuratively clinging to it and holding it well: this should be evident in all his relationships.
Brotherly love is a true affection for the family, which believers should cordially show to each other, not a cold indifference or acceptance of a simple routine. It goes as far as for the believer to prefer to see others being honoured more than he is.
Believers should not be lagging in diligence, which is a purposely slow or hesitant way of serving the Lord, often through laziness or not liking what they have to do (see Matthew 25:26). Who does the work of the Lord negligently is accursed (Jeremiah 48:10). Rather, they should be fervent in spirit, suggesting that their zeal and enthusiasm must be under the control of the Holy Spirit. To serve the Lord must be regarded as the ultimate objective of all services in which a believer is involved (Ephesians 6:7).
It should be normal practice for the believer to rejoice in hope. When the circumstances in which he finds himself are not conducive to happiness, he can and must rejoice in our hope: the coming of our Saviour, the redemption of our bodies and our eternal glory. In this hope, he is able to be patient in tribulation, and nothing should disrupt his sense of dependence on God to meet the needs in his life. He must remain steadfast in prayer because prayer in the Name of the Lord Jesus brings peace to our hearts and power in our lives to do our work and to be victorious.
As a member of a family, a believer should respond to the needs of his brothers and sisters in faith. God expects us to share what He gave us with other believers who are in need, such as the unemployed, those who were impoverished by medical expenses and the elderly whose resources are dwindling. He should also exercise hospitality, or continue being hospitable. It is not just meeting someone in an eventuality, but it is looking for Christian brothers and sisters to whom he can extend hospitality, for example, those in the church who are lonely, maybe even introverted and reserved, but who would appreciate this act of Christian fellowship, or there could be someone in passing who lacks welcome and hospitality. To receive these people is the same as if you were hosting the Lord himself.
Inside the church is to be hoped that peace always prevails, but human nature often manifests itself, and a believer can feel persecuted by another. He should, however, "bless those who persecute him" to preserve peace within the church and contribute to healing the evil that threatens him. To curse him would have the opposite effect and would worsen the situation.
A believer needs to have empathy (ability to identify with someone else, feeling what he feels, wanting what he wants, learning the way he learns, etc.) with his brothers and sisters, not only in their joy but also in their sorrow, as part of the same family. It is human nature to be jealous when others rejoice and to distance oneself when they weep. God's way is to take part in the joys and sorrows of those around us, as the Lord Jesus demonstrated when weeping in empathy with Martha, Mary and the other mourners at the death of Lazarus - yet knowing full well that He would turn their sorrow into joy immediately after, by raising Lazarus.
To be of the same mind toward one another does not mean uniformity of opinion about everything, but every believer is to share the same thoughts and selfless actions with his brothers and sisters in order to preserve the harmony of their relationship (Philippians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 1:10). Therefore, a believer should not aspire to lofty things but adjust to the humble: not only serve his own interests but also those of others, and have the mind of Christ, who left the highest position imaginable to take the form of a bondservant (Philippians 2:1-8). The wise man Solomon wrote: "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 26:12). A believer should not be wise in his own opinion, remembering that he has nothing that he did not first receive.
In relation to unbelievers
The believer can expect evil in the hands of the world, but he should not return evil for evil to anyone. Human nature delights in revenge, but the believer puts his trust in God Almighty who guarantees that "vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (v.19). As in all the circumstances of life, the believer will act honourably in the face of insult and injury. He should look for what is honourable in the sight of all men , because actions speak louder than words: the world has little concern with the line of Christian doctrine that he follows, but notes carefully if he is authentic or not, if he honestly pays his debts, if it can trust him to keep his word.
It is not surprising that the world will hate Christians because they hated Jesus Christ himself (John 15:18), but if it is possible, as much as depends on the believer, he must live peaceably with all men. He should not provoke or argue unnecessarily, but do the best he can to preserve peace. When he offends someone, or when offended, he should strive tirelessly for a peaceful resolution to the case.
If the believer suffers evil at the hands of others, he should not take revenge, but give place to the wrath of God. Instead of getting angry, and taking the initiative to punish the guilty, he should leave everything in God's hands; otherwise he will be leaving the control of God, and failing to walk by faith. God will do justice and give the best solution.
The believer must also take another step forward, from the lack of resistance to the active benevolence; now he has the responsibility to show kindness to his enemy, and to offer him what he lacks when in need. Rather than destroying him by violence, he must try to convert him through love. “For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21,22).
Instead of yielding to the provocation to do evil, the believer overcomes the evil that was done to him by doing good. The believer should never allow evil to win. This is an evil world in a satanic system, and the believer cannot fight it using its own weapons and adopting the same tactics of hatred and revenge in the world. He will be defeated if he does. God gave the believer good to overcome evil, and an armour to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11-18).
In short, the believer should adopt the following practices and attitudes:
- Rejoicing in hope (of their glorious future).
- Having patience in tribulation (which is temporary and bearable).
- Persevering in prayer (God wants to hear him).
- Participating in the needs of the saints (they are his brothers).
- Providing hospitality (some unwittingly entertained angels).
- Wishing good (not evil) to those to do him evil.
- Having joy with those who rejoice.
- Being sad with those who weep.
- Showing empathy with the brethren.
- Condescending with the humble.
- Submitting to God, not judging himself wiser than He is.
- Not taking revenge, which is rendering evil for evil: vengeance is of the Lord. Instead, treat your enemy well because he will be ashamed and it will bring blessings (Proverbs 25:21-22).
- Living peaceably with all people, as much as depends on you.
R David Jones
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9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 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.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
20 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."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans chapter 12, verses 9 to 21