Today, I will do something different.
I only have six more messages before I take my Christmas break. I hope you have been enjoying the Pearls from the Parables. Yesterday, my Spiritual Mother (Cynthia Brazelton) shared a tremendous message about relationships that lines up great with many of the parables I have covered already. Before I move on to another parable, I want to share with you some of what she shared yesterday. She shared some things from Romans 12 that truly blessed me, and I feel led to share some of my notes with you.
What I am about to share with you from Romans 12 lines up with several parables. Here is a list of a few (that we have already studied) that go well with what I am about to share with you today:
1. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37): This parable is a powerful illustration of love and compassion transcending societal boundaries. It teaches us to love our neighbors, regardless of their background or status, which resonates with Paul’s exhortation to love genuinely and to overcome evil with good.
2. Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35): This story highlights the importance of forgiveness, a key aspect of healthy relationships. It mirrors Paul’s advice on not repaying anyone evil for evil and living at peace with everyone as much as possible.
3. Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32): This parable demonstrates the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the joy of restoring broken relationships. It aligns with Paul’s teachings on the importance of harmony and not holding on to grudges.
4. Parable of the Workers (Matthew 20:1-16): This story can be connected to the idea of not being haughty but associating with the lowly and not being wise in your own sight, as it challenges the conventional notions of fairness and entitlement, promoting generosity and humility.
5. Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14): This parable emphasizes humility over self-righteousness, resonating with Paul’s instruction to live humbly and not to think of oneself more highly than one ought.
With that in mind, let’s get into my notes from yesterday. I pray this will bless you.
We will take a verse-by-verse breakdown of Romans 12, verses 9-21, from The Mirror Bible translation.
(Verses 9-21), here we go!
Verse 9 Love without any hidden agenda. Utterly detest evil; be glued to good.
— Recognize that genuine love is selfless and seeks the best for others, not just ourselves.
— Actively resist evil in all its forms, committing ourselves to uphold what is good and righteous.
— Cultivate a heart that loves sincerely, reflecting the love Christ has for us.
Verse 10 Take tender care of one another with fondness and affection; esteem one another’s unique value.
— We should see people the way God sees them. God sees value in every person, and when we walk with Him, He will help us see the value in them as well.
— Build relationships founded on mutual respect and genuine care.
— Approach each interaction with the intention to affirm and value the other person.
— Be proactive in offering support and assistance, especially in times of need.
Verse 11 Do not allow any hesitation to interrupt the rhythm of your zeal; capture the moment; maintain the boiling-point intensity of spirit devotion to the Lord.
— We must not allow anything to stop us from operating what the passion God has given us for people. Do not interrupt the fellowship.
— Let our passion for Christ be evident in our passion for people.
— Be role models of zeal and dedication, inspiring others to deepen their relationship with God and with one another.
Verse 12 Delight yourself in the pleasure of expectation; prayer prevails victoriously under pressure. (elpis: to anticipate, usually with pleasure.)
— We should take delight in praying for one another.
— Prayer will empower us to prevail victoriously under pressure.
— Celebrate answered prayers and share testimonies to encourage others.
— Develop a habit of constant prayer, communicating with God throughout our day.
— View prayer as a source of spiritual nourishment and refreshment.
— Cultivate a deep sense of joy and peace that comes from a vibrant prayer life.
— Remember that through prayer, we align ourselves with God’s will and purpose.
Verse 13 Purpose with resolve to treat strangers as saints; pursue and embrace them with fondness as friends on equal terms of fellowship. Make yourself useful in the most practical way possible. (See Hebrews 13:2)
— God can make us lovers of strangers. He empowers us to embrace them in unity and love.
— Treat every encounter as a divine appointment, an opportunity to show Christ’s love.
— Be intentional in building bridges and forming meaningful connections.
— Seek to understand and appreciate the unique backgrounds and experiences of others.
— Create a welcoming and inclusive environment in our churches and communities where everyone can feel welcome.
— Remember that every person we meet is a potential friend and a fellow traveler on the journey of faith.
Verse 14 Continue to speak well even if someone wants to take advantage of you; bless and do not blame when you feel exploited.
— Speak well of people, even when they do not deserve it.
— Choose to respond with kindness and grace, even in the face of mistreatment.
— Guard our tongues, avoiding gossip and negative talk about others.
— Look for the best in people, even when their actions are hurtful or unfair.
— Pray for those who mistreat us, asking God to work in their hearts and ours.
— Seek reconciliation where possible, extending the olive branch of peace.
— Remember that our response to mistreatment is a powerful witness of our faith in Christ.
Verse 15 Do not merely act the role in someone else’s gladness or grief; feel with them in genuine joy and compassion.
— Practice empathy, sharing in the joys and sorrows of others as if they were our own.
— Offer a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, being present in moments of need.
— Celebrate others’ achievements and milestones with genuine enthusiasm and support.
— Be a source of comfort and consolation during times of grief and hardship.
— Avoid superficial responses, seeking to connect on a deeper emotional level.
— Remember that sharing in each other’s lives is a privilege and a responsibility.
Verse 16 Esteem everyone with the same respect; no one is more important than the other. Associate yourself rather with the lowly than with the lofty. Do not distance yourself from others in your own mind. (“Take a real interest in ordinary people.”— JB Phillips.)
— We should be willing to connect with anyone (low or high).
— We need to show true interest in all people, regardless of their status or background.
— Avoid the trap of favoritism, treating everyone with equal regard and consideration.
— Seek out those who are marginalized or overlooked, offering them friendship and support.
— Resist the urge to judge others based on external appearances or societal standards.
— Remember that Jesus associated with all, setting an example for us to follow.
Verse 17 Two wrongs do not make a right. Never retaliate; instead, cultivate the attitude to anticipate only beauty and value in every person you encounter.
— We need to see people the way Jesus sees us.
— Choose to respond with love and forgiveness, rather than seeking revenge or retaliation.
— Look for the good in others, even when it is not immediately apparent.
— Practice patience and understanding, giving others the benefit of the doubt.
— Strive to be peacemakers, fostering harmony and reconciliation.
— Leave justice and recompense to the Lord.
Verse 18 You have within you what it takes to be everyone’s friend, regardless of how they treat you. (See Romans 1:16, 17. Also Matthew 5:44, 45.)
— We have the grace to LINK UP! We can be anyone and everyone’s friend.
— Believe in our ability to show Christ’s love, even to those who are difficult to love.
— Cultivate relationships based on unconditional love and acceptance.
— Be approachable and open, creating an atmosphere where others feel valued and heard.
— Practice consistent kindness, demonstrating Christ’s love in our interactions.
— Seek to understand before being understood, building bridges of communication and trust.
— Remember that our love for others is a reflection of our love for Christ.
Verse 19 Do not bother yourselves to get even, dear ones. Do not let anger or irritation distract you; that which we have in common with one another (righteousness) sets the pace. Scripture confirms that the Lord himself is the revealer of righteousness.
— We don’t need to get even. It’s not our place to get them back.
— Anger or irritation can distract us from what is truly important.
— We must focus on what we have in common rather than on differences or conflicts.
— Seek to resolve conflicts in a manner that honors God and upholds His righteousness.
— Use disagreements as opportunities for growth and learning, both personally and relationally.
— Remember that our ultimate goal is to glorify God in all our relationships.
— Pray for guidance and wisdom in handling difficult situations and conflicts.
Verse 20 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” These acts of kindness will be like heaping coals of fire on his head and certainly rid him of the dross in his mind and win him as a friend. (A refiner would melt metal in a crucible and intensify the process by heaping coals of fire on it [Proverbs 25:21,22]. This is good strategy; be sensitive to the needs of your enemies. God sees gold in every person. Hostility cannot hide our true value. He won us while we were hostile towards him [see also Romans 5:8, 10]. His kindness led us to the radical awakening of our minds. [Romans 2:4].)
— We are here to BE a blessing to one another!
— Show kindness to those who oppose us, following Christ’s example of loving our enemies.
— Our acts of kindness will heap coals of fire upon people who do not like us.
— Use acts of kindness as tools for reconciliation and bridge-building.
— Understand that our kindness can have a transformative effect on others.
— Seek opportunities to serve those who may not expect it from us.
— Practice generosity and hospitality, even towards those who may not seem deserving.
— Remember that our actions can lead others to a deeper understanding of God’s grace.
— Trust that God can use our kindness to soften hearts and change lives.
Verse 21 Do not let evil be an excuse for you to feel defeated; rather seize the opportunity to turn the situation into a victory for good.
— Seize every opportunity to turn a bad situation into a good one!
— Use challenges and opposition as opportunities for spiritual growth and character development.
— Refuse to be overcome by negativity or despair. Instead, focus on God’s promises and faithfulness, knowing that God can turn it around!
— Remember that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
— Believe that with God, every stumbling block can become a stepping stone to take you to the next level!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I choose to love genuinely, without any hidden agenda, reflecting Your unconditional love in this world.
You enable me to see and value each person. You bless me to see them the way You do. As you do, I honor and value who they are and what You have called them to do.
You grace me to approach every relationship with empathy, kindness, and genuine compassion.
You empower me to respond to challenges and adversity with a heart full of Your grace and love, becoming an instrument of Your peace and reconciliation in a world that desperately needs it.
I trust in Your guidance to turn every difficult situation into an opportunity for growth and goodness. You turn it around for my good!
Father, I thank You for blessing me to have loving and thriving relationships in this world. Life is better when enjoyed with friends!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
