Love in Romans 12

Romans 12: 9-21   

Love must be sincere:  Genuine, authentic, not pretended.

Hate what is evil:  Not who, but what.

Cling to what is good:  Again, what, not who; we cling to God, not one another.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;  As family members, be continually mindful of one another.

Honor one another above yourselves:  Focus on others, take my focus off of myself.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual ferver, serving the Lord:  Do not grow tired and lose my enthusiasm, but remember that what I do for others' benefit serves the lord.

Be joyful in hope:  Keep my attitude positive while I wait on the Lord.

Patient in affliction;  Not upset or bitter.

Faithful in prayer:  I need to be praying every day, not skipping days for my quiet time.

Share with God's people who are in need, practice hospitality:  My home always open for someone who needs it, for temporary lodging or small group, or whatever.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and not curse:  Those who would speak or act against me do not understand, and need to know the Truth to be free of their negativity.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn:  Empathize with what they're feeling and don't try to change them.

Live in harmony with one another:  Not discord.

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position (or do menial work):  And don't be too proud to befriend those others turn away from.

Do not be conceited:  Get my mind off myself.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody:  It is never right to do evil, so I must always consider my reactions and act instead on my responses to whatever evil is around me, to respond in positive ways that will be seen as beneficial.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone:  As much as I am responsible for, to treat everyone in such a way as to promote peace, to live at peace with all who will live at peace with me.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath:  I cannot handle revenge--it is so negative it would destroy me. I must just step out of the way and let God be God, for I am not.

"It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Deut. 32:35) says the Lord:  I can trust God to make sure everyone will receive what is just and fair. 

On the contrary, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head (Prov. 25:21-22).

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good:  This is the sum of this whole passage.