February 17, 2023

Romans 12:9-21 (HCSB)
Christian Ethics
9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Nathan Putty
Man, oh man. When I read this passage, I immediately started crunching the numbers. How many of these things do I do? I won’t share the final tally, but spoiler alert...I did not check all the boxes. These verses make you want to really take stock of your actions, don’t they? Me, being a fairly new Christian, I tend to backslide into old habits more easily than I’d like to admit. Coach Paul is opening the playbook and giving us the roadmap to victory here. I constantly need to remind myself to upload these ideas into my brain so I can stay headed in the direction I’m supposed to be going and not where I’ve been. How about y’all.