Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Wednesday, 27 August 2014 - Romans 12:9-21

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Wednesday, 27 August 2014 - Romans 12:9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.(The Message)
In a recent conversation with a newly married colleague, I posed the question, "So how's married life?" The response came, "It's good, but it's different." We sat and chatted about the period of adjustment that's common for most couples as they adjust to the new experience of sharing life together.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul seems to be doing something quite similar. He offers advice and direction on how believers are to live their lives together with Christ. The old habits and rules no longer apply. Life as a believer in Christ takes some getting used to, perhaps even more so because much of it seemingly goes against our very nature.
Throughout the course of our lives as believers, there will be times when following Christ seems easy; yet there will also be times when it seems very difficult. In those times, we will do well to remind ourselves that this new life in Christ is different, but it's also very good.
Father in Heaven, in the midst of the craziness of life, help us to remember to turn to you always. As we struggle amid the hardships in life, including the hardship of battling our own flawed human nature, remind us that through your Son, that battle is already won for us, and give us hope in that promise. Amen.
Scott Dalen
Pastor, Underwood Lutheran Church, Underwood, Iowa 
Master of Divinity , 2013
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.(New Revised Standard Version)
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