Having established that we are brought into God’s family through faith in Jesus and empowered by His Spirit, Paul now turns in Romans 12 to the practical matter of how we are to live together within this family.
… I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly…
That is a great start. Paul tells everyone among us not to think of himself more highly than he should think, but instead to think sensibly and recognize that this family is not just about you, but includes many others. Paul uses the analogy of the body to help us understand that not all parts are the same, but we are all part of one body. We are all to do our part with the gifts God has enabled us, be that teaching, serving, exhorting, giving, leading, showing mercy, etc… Use your gifts as God has enabled you and do them cheerfully.
I would encourage you to read through this passage many times. There is so much to consider in relation to where we might be today in our lives and with each other.
Do we have a sincere love for each other? How are we doing at clinging to what is good and abhorring what is evil? Do we truly have a deep affection for one another as brothers and sisters? How are we doing at honoring one another above ourselves?
Are we eager to serve the Lord? Are we rejoicing in our hope, patient in our affliction, and persistent in prayer? Do we practice hospitality, especially towards those in need?
Regarding our differences, are we prideful, or are we willing to lay down our rights to live in harmony? Are we willing to associate with those who are humble? Do we assume we have all the answers?
And what about wrongs done to us, especially those intentionally evil? Are we seeking revenge, or are we overcoming evil with good? As far as it depends on us, are we striving to live at peace with everyone?
Living in community inevitably means that wrongs will occur. Paul addresses this reality, reminding us that we are not the judges—God is. He encourages us to leave room for God to bring judgment on those who do evil, for God will repay the wrongs that are done. Instead, we are to do good to those who wrong us, and God will use this to challenge their consciences.
Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
It is interesting that Paul closes his instructions on how we are to live as fellow believers in God’s church with this statement. It is a reminder that the church is full of people, and though we are redeemed by God’s grace, we will still wrestle with our sin nature, our pride, and self-importance, and so will our fellow Christians. It is not that we should dismiss wrong from others, but we are to love one another as Christ loves us. We are to cheerfully and with passion use the gifts God has given us to serve one another, appreciating that we will all be different and bring different things to the family. We will all have different abilities and strengths. We are to work at peace, love, and forgiveness.
We cannot be overcome by evil, but we must overcome evil with good.
