Paul has been discussing spiritual exercises which are good for the soul namely "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer." This, however, is not intended to make us introspective and self serving, on the contrary this should lead to us looking upon the needs of others.
- "Distributing to the necessity of the saints." - Romans 12v13 - We are to share what we have with those who need them. Largely this would involve material things, the necessities of life not the luxuries. There are very few today in our society who are short of the necessities, but if we look far enough we will find those in need. We are to meet that need as we find it. Preachers and teachers need to be cared for, as do widows. There are situations of famine, unemployment, disease, that may impinge on peoples' material circumstances. Because of the nature of the gospel, some may find it hard to get employment, or even promotion within employment. We are to be actively engaged in distribution of necessary material things. Whilst we are to do good to all men we are to concentrate particularly on our fellow believers "As we therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6v10
- "Given to hospitality" - Romans 12v13 - The word "hospitality" literally means the love of strangers. This would involve more than the known people of God and would extend to any human being who is in need of help. The writer to the Hebrews said "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13v2 This is in the context of "let brotherly love continue" Hebrews 13v1 Fellow feeling for any human being who in anyway needs our help is what God wants us to do. It is not a matter of every now and again as we come across this need, we should get involved; we are to be "given to hospitality." This has to become part of our lives, we are to use our homes and resources for the needs of others. The story of the good Samaritan was told by Jesus such that we are to do this without consideration of religion, nationality or social class.
- "Bless them which persecute you, bless and curse not" - Romans 12v14 - Paul is again thinking of the character of the gospel and of the world in which we live. To live a life for God will at times bring persecution. The meaning of persecution is that people will follow you, pursue you, in order to bring you down in any way they can. It was said of Jesus "They watched Him that they might accuse Him." This is the idea here, because this is the nature of the world in which we live. Whenever your life, or the standards by which you live cut across the lives of others, you will find opposition, and sometimes that will be very trying. How are we to react in such cases? We are to bless them! The word is "eulogia" which means to speak well of; the natural tendency would be to criticize; we are to avoid this, and on the contrary speak well of them, focusing only on the good that we can see in them. Paul is quite adamant on this, because he says not only are we to bless them but we are to "bless them and curse them not." The word "curse" is very strong and means bringing the condemnation of God upon them. This is not to be our attitude, rather to speak well of them as much as we can. This is clearly "sermon on the mount" standard. There are some great historical examples of this grace; Stephen in Acts 7v60 who when the stones were flying about his body knelt down and cried with a loud voice "Lord lay not this sin to their charge." The prime example is of the Lord Jesus Christ who while hanging on the cross uttered these words "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." In 1958, Elizabeth Elliott with her daughter Valerie and Rachel Saint, sister of the martyred Nate Saint, went to live and serve amongst the Auca Indians who had murdered their loved ones. There are many, many more examples and we do well to follow them. This indeed is the essence of Christianity.
- "Rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep" - Romans 12v15 Life brings joy and sorrow and this request is asking us to be aware of peoples' circumstances whether in joy or in sorrow. We are to look on the things of others, make ourselves aware of what they are going through for good or bad. There is a tendency for us to be better at weeping with those that weep than the other. We should learn to enter into the joy of others and share it with them as well as their times of sorrow. The words for "rejoice" and "weep" are in the infinitive mood and means we are to be doing this all the time. This is not to be interfering with people's situations, but to show a kindly human disposition towards them in the different aspects of life.
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