“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; or by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20, ESV).This verse is a direct quote of Proverbs ...  Read More

“Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19, ESV).This echoes the devotion from two days ago, “Repay ...  Read More

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18, ESV).This verse suggests that it is not always possible to live peaceably with everyone. It doesn’t always depend on ...  Read More

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17, ESV).We might be tempted to hurt someone who has hurt us—to exercise revenge. But God tells us...  Read More

“Never be wise in your own sight” (Romans 12:16c, ESV).This continues yesterday’s instruction, “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” (16b). The wisest among us do not know that they are wi...  Read More

“Do not be haughty (high, lofty, esteemed), but associate with the lowly” (Romans 12:16b, ESV).“Haughty” is a state of mind. It is a belief that you are better than others, that you are farther along,...  Read More

“Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16a, ESV).The idea translated as harmony in the ESV means literally, “to have the same mind” or “to have the same thoughts about one another”. Harmony nat...  Read More

“Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15b, ESV).This is much deeper than just having a tear run down your cheek. This is grief. This is mourning. This is loss. And the biblical mandate is to grieve wi...  Read More

“Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15a, ESV).“Celebrate with those who are celebrating”, “Feel the joy that others are experiencing”, “Be blessed by other people’s blessing”. Joy is contagiou...  Read More

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them” (v14).As we look to apply this verse, let’s remember that these words are written to the church in Rome—not the unchurched unbelievers. It ...  Read More

“Seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13b, ESV).“Hospitality” is literally “loving strangers in the same way that one love’s their brothers”. Included within the word is an expansive inclusiveness—str...  Read More

“Contribute to the needs of the saints” (Romans 12:13a, ESV).This is much more than just giving money. “Contribute” is the Greek word “koinoneo”, which is the verb form of “koinonia” which means fello...  Read More