Daily Reading: Romans 12:11-12:“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Love must be sincere. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Don’t lag behind in (spoudē) earnestness in accomplishing, So, Paul is telling be earnest in allowing the Holy Spirit to boil up and accomplish love in our lives as we submit to Christ. So, we need to allow the boiling up of love in the Holy Spirit as we submit to Christ, allowing Christ to live through us and then verse 12. “Rejoicing in Hope” (the thing hoped for- confident expectation of good that is Christ) 1) Rejoice or find joy in Jesus. “Patient in affliction” patience in the Greek is 2) Holding fast to faith in Christ during trouble.“Faithful in prayer” 3) Show oneself Courageous through prayer (Romans 12:13).
Those three things: rejoice or find joy in Jesus, hold fast to faith in Christ during trouble, and show oneself courageous through prayer is how Paul writes, for how we submit to Christ.
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” This is actually deeper than what we see from a surface read and it means: seek opportunities to help. It takes both eyes to see the opportunity and courage to response to meet the need.In that persecution you face, you can be an instrumental that brings them from cursing to blessing through Jesus (Romans 12:14) as the Holy Spirit boils up love in your life (Romans 12:11).
Faith in Christ is what motivates us to bless our enemies.“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Those who preach the gospel of peace should endeavor to live at peace with everyone. When that’s not possible, then it may be time to move on.“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”Battle the unbelief of bitterness by trusting that God’s justice will prevail (Romans 12:19). If you keep a grudge, you doubt the Judge.