|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Mercy withholds what we deserve, and grace gives us what we don’t deserve. Grace and mercy reveal the fullness of God’s love.
In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul pens one of the great practical living chapters in the Bible. This chapter has three sections. The first starts with mercy when Paul says, “By the mercies of God” (v. 1). The second begins with grace, “For by the grace given to me” (v. 3), and the third concludes with love, “Let love be genuine” (v. 9).
In Reading Romans ~ Part 1 (Interruption #1478), I discussed mercy and grace but not love. In this Interruption, I continue with grace and love but not mercy. (Please note that a special reward from heaven is now offered to anyone who reads both Interruptions together today!!!)
Section Two: Grace (Remember “mercy” discussed in Interruption #1479.)
Through grace, God gives us spiritual gifts.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8, ESV).
Each believer has a distinct path of following Jesus — a narrow path — in which we have received spiritual gifts to accomplish the good and acceptable will of God (v. 2).
We dull the effectiveness of our gifts in two ways: Thinking too highly of ourselves or not integrating the gifts into the body of Christ. . .
I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function (v. 3).
Have you listened to a soloist who can’t sing, a preacher who can’t preach, or a prophet who can’t prophecy? And what happens to the gifts of a soloist, preacher, or prophet without humble integration into the body of Christ?
To summarize: You have gifts. Serve others with them!
Section Three: Love
Verses 9 through 13 describe love. . .
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Genuine, hold fast, affection, honor, zeal, fervent, rejoice, patience, prayer, and hospitality — what a slew of descriptives defining the love of God and our love for one another.
Verses 14 through 21 define a mature believer who has learned to receive forgiveness and then extend it to others! Read these verses to learn the art of great relationships. And remember this exhortation. . .
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (vv. 17-18).
To summarize: Let’s understand grace, mercy, and love by reading Romans 12 over and over!