The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Eight

"Grow Up!"

Romans 12:14-21 (NLT) Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
   Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
   Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
   Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
   Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Christians are to do the opposite of what we naturally want to do when we are hurt. God, in His great wisdom, is saying through the Apostle Paul, that we are not to be self-centered. When we grieve with those who grieve, we aren't afraid to let go of ourselves and are able comfort others. When we rejoice with those who rejoice, we cannot hold onto our jealousy. This is Jesus-type behavior. It goes against everything this world teaches us about behavior. When we do as Paul teaches, we live, as God through Christ Jesus, requires us to live.

Let's look at what Jesus said about this very thing. His way of thinking was totally radical thinking when He walked on this earth and still is today. Hey, He never was a conformist.

Matthew 5:43-48 (Message) "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
   "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

No matter what, God gives His best. It's hard to comprehend this but God is sinless. He's holy and He calls us to be holy as well. How do we do this? We do what He does and we love as He loves, no matter who we are in contact with. It is only through the power that resides within us, that is the Holy Spirit, that we can ever hope to accomplish this. Jesus taught this holy behavior while He was on earth and He instructs us to "grow up" and live like He did.


How can I live generously and graciously as a subject of the Most High God? The answer is found in the example Jesus set. It is written throughout the Bible. Even when we don't feel like it we must "grow up" and live as Jesus requires.

Our immature behavior is exhibited when we hold onto our pride and think of others as less than we are. We want what we want and we want it NOW!! "Watch out people, I have an agenda and I'm determined to get 'er done!" That kind of mindset, as I often battle, is the kind that pushes us away from the blessings God has for us.

You see, evil doesn't go unnoticed by God. He will take care of things. His justice is sure and complete. However, when we take justice into our own hands, it's like we are just throwing sand up in the wind and it blowing back into our faces. It does no good and only ends up hurting us in the end. I know it's a hard thing to understand, but by faith I have to trust that He knows best and handles things correctly.

Isaiah 5:21 (NLT) What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

There is sorrow in store for us when we think we know better than God. We have these great plans to get back at people and it ultimately blows up in our faces. God wants to shield us from this hurt but allows us to act as we want because He gives us free will. It's so important to follow God's lead and live as He requires us to live.

Is there someone you want to take revenge against? Have you taken revenge and it has blown up in your face? What are you holding against someone that is sickening your spirit? I have some things in my life right now. I am minute-by-minute giving this circumstance over to Jesus. I have to stop talking about it to others and trust Jesus with the outcome. How about you? 

In summary, this is what God tells us to do:
   1. Bless those who persecute you.
   2. Don't curse them, pray for them.
   3. Be happy with those who are happy.
   4. Weep with those who weep.
   5. Don't be prideful.
   6. Don't think you know it all.
   7. No paybacks.
   8. Live at peace.
   9. Feed your enemies.
  10. Quench the thirst of your opposition.
 
God's results are the best results. Are you with me? Are you willing to "grow up" and live a mature Christian walk? I want to please Jesus and live as He requires. May God bless you and me as we venture on this new mature walk with our Lord.