The practical exhortations continue:
- "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." Romans 12v10 We are to look on each other as members of the same family. This aspect of things is illustrated elsewhere; "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3v14-15. In John's first epistle, the writer takes up this aspect when seven times over he speaks of "my dear children" (1st John 2v1: 1st John 2v12: 1st John 2v8:1st John 3v7:1st John 43v18: 1st John 4v4: 1st John 5v21). Thus the New Testament reminds us that not only are we members in a functioning spiritual body, but we are blood brothers and sisters in the family of God, united together by the blood of Christ.
- "In honour preferring one another" Romans 12v10 Notice the repetition of "one another." This phrase occurs in scattered portions of the New Testament and speaks of the unbreakable bond that is between believers in Christ. We are to honour one another, that is we are to put a value on each other, not one from a worldly perspective, but seeing each other as God sees us. The word literally means "to put a price on" and we are enjoined to value each other in the way in which God does in Christ. Also we are to acknowledge when one or other does something worthy of praise. We are to put the interests of others before our own "preferring one another" because this is in line with God's attitude to us, who put our concerns before His own. In that great epistle which enjoins us to have the mind of Christ, Paul writes " let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the others better than themselves." Philippians 2v3 In order to properly value each other we would need to be focusing our minds on the positive aspects of other people.
- "Not slothful in business" Romans 12v11 The A.V. rendering of this somewhat masks the true meaning. Whilst scripture enjoins us to be diligent in everything we do, including in our daily work , the meaning of this is best presented by the amplified version "never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor." The appeal here is for earnestness and zeal in whatever we do, especially the things of God. There is to be no half heartedness, as we shall see in the next phrase, about how we go about things. The Laodicean church was chided by the Lord for being "lukewarm". He says to them "I would that thou wert hot or cold." The Lord detests insipid behavior in His business on this earth. He wants us to be hot, zealous, earnest, fully committed people. He Himself was the perfect example of this "the zeal of Thine house has consumed me." John 2v17
- "Fervent in spirit" Romans 12v11 Literally means "boiling over" Operating at white heat, not miserable or sullen or sulky or down in the mouth but on fire, glowing for God; as Paul says writing to Titus "zealous of good works." Titus 2v14 This fervency must mark us in everything we do, not allowing personal considerations or discouragements to douse the flame for God lit by the Holy Spirit within our souls. Peter writes to the believers with this "seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." 1st Peter 1v22 If this aspect of our Christian life is missing, we need to take steps to rekindle the flames of fervency again. A prime example of this is found in Apollos during his time at Corinth "This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord." Acts 18v25
- "Serving the Lord" Romans 12v11 Whatever service we do, it is "to the Lord" The word "serving" is to be rendered "slave" and suggests we are to be bond servants to the Lord. In the practice of slavery in those days this would mean that all my possessions, all my time, all my energies were to be given to the one whom I serve. Translated into spiritual terms we are always in the Lord's service whatever we do, wherever we are and what stage of life we are at. In Colossians 3v24 the apostle reminds the believers who work for a master for a living are in fact "serving the Lord Christ." If I am a housewife, I serve the Lord, if I am a preacher, I serve the Lord, if I am retired there is no retirement because I serve the Lord. Whatever we do we are in His service and he gives us grace and energy to see it through.
Next we shall see some of the resources available to us to live as the apostle suggests. The wonder of the gospel is that what was impossible for us by following a set of rules, now becomes possible because of the energy of the Holy Spirit within us in the gospel of the grace of God.
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