Romans 12:9-13
Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first. Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. Romans 12:9-13 (VOICE)
This passage from Romans has many nuances, depending on the translation that you read. Because of this, it’s one of my favorites, and one that I enjoy reading in different translations. The website biblegateway.com has many translations that phrase things in different ways, and today’s passage is from The Voice translation. It was chosen because it was very direct: pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. How many times do we know the right thing to do, but take an easier way out with the knowledge we still know right from wrong, even if we didn’t follow through? Our lives do depend on pursuing good, or God’s will.
Honor others by putting them first. Other translations say practice playing second fiddle. Let others have their moments of glory without reminding anyone of your accomplishments. This is hard for many of us, but life is better when we rejoice in others rather than ourselves.
Hold up through the hard times, and devote yourselves to prayer. Talking to God daily, even throughout the day keeps us in touch with incredible power to live as God wants us to live.
The last part is scary for many of us: take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. Other translations say be hospitable to strangers. Either way, show love to those around us who need help and encouragement. Many of us who have traveled this summer, or anytime, probably have wonderful stories of how a stranger helped in time of car trouble, travel delays, or sudden illness away from home. Maybe you have been that stranger that helped someone.
Take a few minutes, click on the link of the passage from Romans today, and check out the various translations and choices of words. Your heart and mind just might be opened reading a new way of expressing God’s word. These guidelines are essential for living every day! Thanks be to God!
Questions for Reflection:
- Is it hard to let others have their moments of glory and not receive any glory yourself?
- Could you open your home to a stranger? Why or why not?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for your word, given to us in the Bible. Help us use different translations to understand your word, and communicate your gospel to all around us. Help us love genuinely, and share our blessings and faith with those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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