Our Changed Relationship to One Another – Part 4 [Reacting to People] Romans II Series [17] Romans 12:14-16

A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE 12:9[1] FOUNDATION: Our love must be sincere & discerning. 12:10-11[2] ATTITUDE: Our attitude toward one another should be full of brotherly affection, honor & enthusiasm. 12:12-13[3] REACTING TO CIRCUMSTANCES: We are to be patient in hard times, generous in contributing to the needs of God’s people, and hospitable for the needs of strangers/ministry. 12:14-16[4] REACTING TO PEOPLE: TODAY’S FOCUS

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? What does it mean to react to these people in love? People who persecute us People who are joyful/sorrowful People who have differing opinions/personalities People who are seemingly unimportant

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 1)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO PERSECUTE US: Show GOOD WILL (v.14). “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (v.14) Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 1)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO PERSECUTE US: Show GOOD WILL (v.14).  This is an allusion to Jesus’ teaching that was so well- known that Paul didn’t even need to mention the source.  Love responds to those who persecute/mistreat us not merely with passive non-retaliation but with active “blessing” [= saying good will] for them.  How is this even possible? It requires “MEEKNESS” [=strength under the control of humility]—which is not weakness. We are to follow Jesus’ example of meekness! Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 1)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO PERSECUTE US: Show GOOD WILL (v.14).  This is an allusion to Jesus’ teaching that was so well- known that Paul didn’t even need to mention the source.  Love responds to those who persecute/mistreat us not merely with passive non-retaliation but with active “blessing” [= saying good will] for them.  How is this even possible? It requires “MEEKNESS” [=strength under the control of humility]—which is not weakness. We are to follow Jesus’ example of meekness!  Therefore, we are to show good will on the road/driving, at work, at the stores, in difficult/broken relationships, and more.

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 2)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO ARE JOYFUL/SORROWFUL: Show SYMPATHY (v.15). “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (v.15) Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. Swedish Proverb

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 2)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO ARE JOYFUL/SORROWFUL: Show SYMPATHY (v.15).  Love is not aloof or theoretical—Love enters deeply into other’s lives with SYMPATHY [= same + heart].  What hinders us from this kind of sympathetic rejoicing and weeping? [1] self-obsession, [2] envy, [3] pride, [4] self- protection, [5] inattentiveness, [6] insincerity/duplicity.  How do we enter into others’ lives deeply? It requires a SHIFT of a renewed mind—from self-obsession to self- forgetfulness.  Therefore, we are to be genuinely happy for others’ happiness and share tears with those who are in pain.

Entering Deeply into Others’ Lives with Love When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares. - Henri Nouwen

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 3) Reacting to PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS/PERSONALITIES: Show HARMONY (v.16a). “Live in harmony with one another.” (v.16a) Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:2

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 3) Reacting to PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS/PERSONALITIES: Show HARMONY (v.16a).  Literally, the Greek text says “be of the same mind”— having an agreed mind.  It does NOT mean that we are to have “the same mind AMONG us” but to have “the same mind TOWARD us”—a loving harmonious mind [Douglas Moo].  Living in harmony requires us to have deference, forbearance, cooperation/collaboration, & synergy—all rooted in humility and love.  Therefore, in love we are to seek to be on the same page with emotional/relational unity as we value each other’s differences.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves... I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Philippians 2:3; 4:2

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 4)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEMINGLY UNIMPORTANT: Show HUMILITY (v.16b). “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (v.16b) Don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Romans 12:16 [MSG]

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO PEOPLE IN LOVE? 4)Reacting to PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEMINGLY UNIMPORTANT: Show HUMILITY (v.16b).  Pride is the ultimate killer of loving relationships—pride comes in different forms: [1] self-preoccupation, [2] self- infatuation, and [3] self-exaltation [John Piper].  True humility is not “lowering ourselves” than what we really are—but knowing ourselves in Christ [= brokenness].  It requires: negatively, we must stop being SNOBBISH [= positioning ourselves with status]; positively, we must put ourselves EQUAL with those are socially invisible or unimportant (low status).  Therefore, we are to show respect and treat with mutuality to elderly people, kids, low-status workers, the poor & the marginalized.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Enter DEEPLY INTO OTHERS’ LIVES and share their joys and pains through love.  Shift from self-obsession to self-forgetfulness by taking the first step.  Be attentive to each person and GO where they are! 2.Live in harmony with one another by SEEKING TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE emotionally.  Think of others more significant in true humility.  Practice deference, forbearance, cooperation, and synergy! 3.Make FRIENDS WITH NOBODIES—don’t be the great somebody.  Stop positioning/seeing yourself with status.  Show respect and equality to the lowly tasks/people.

OUR VISION FOR A LOVING COMMUNITY! A community where our love for one another is sincere and discerning. A community where our attitude for one another is full of brotherly affection, honor & enthusiasm. A community where we react to circumstances in love by being patient in hard times, generous in contributing to the needs of God’s people, and hospitable for the needs of ministry. A community where we react to people in love by being of good will, sympathetic, harmonious, and humble. The ONLY WAY to make this vision come true is that each of us would become BENEFACTORS not just BENEFICIARIES of this vision!!!