9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.
18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.
Reflection
Love without pretending…
Welcome the stranger into your home…
Bless those who harass you…
Don’t think you are better than anyone else…
Don’t pay back evil for evil…
Take care of your enemies…
Live at peace with all people…
Oof. Those are some tall orders. It’s hard to think of a single person (myself, included) whose got all these down pat. Frankly, some days I’m lucky if I succeed at one or two.
The Christian life isn’t for the faint of heart – because it’s about a whole lot more than going to Church every Sunday or remembering to say our nightly prayers. As the author Paul indicates in this text, the Christian life is an endeavor toward total transformation “to the best of our ability,” especially in how we relate to one another. And most especially, in how we relate to the ones we know, like, or understand the least.
So, what is “the best of your ability?” Maybe it’s different every day. But when you ask yourself honestly – are you living into your best most days or are there areas where you fall short over and over?
The good news is – if you’re human like the rest of us – there is a God who loves you and chooses to forgive. But that forgiveness is only God’s half of the deal. The other half is ours to make and its repentance – turning away from our sin and choosing better next time.
So, in those areas where you fall short repeatedly, is there one thing you can do to make a better choice next time? Is there one person you need to love better or attempt to understand? Is there something you need to let go of? Should you come down off your high horse or complain about others a little less? Do you need to be more hospitable?
Chances are – it’s something for everyone. We are in good company. But we all must start somewhere if we really want to live the amazing life God created us for and see total transformation happen in the world.
It begins with the choices we make.
by Kate Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
What is one choice you will make this week to live into one of Paul’s commands toward total life transformation?
Prayer:
God, forgive me
For I have fallen short.
Help me to be the person you know I can be.
Help me to heal my own heart and mind,
So that I might be a healing presence for a hurting world.
Remind me that you have created me for a holy purpose,
One that requires my honest repentance and full participation.
Amen.
