Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21 NAS
If you were to stand before the Lord and be judged according to this list – how do you think you would do? What would He show you by examples in your life about each of these points? Would He have examples of where you did any of these out of His instruction to you? We tend to skip quickly over these lists, not wanting to ‘look’ too closely, or take the time to really ask the Holy Spirit how we are to accomplish things like this. We think our ‘opinions’ are oh so important and we do as we think is best. Yet… this list exists and we can’t so easily dismiss them. THIS IS the life of a disciple of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit working through them and advising them in each daily encounter. The ONLY way to even come close to living this way is to have an incredibly intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit where you have an on-going conversation with Him all day long. This list is almost in direct opposition to EVERY natural human tendency. This is a list of how the Holy Spirit responds to situations. How much is the Holy Spirit advising you through out your day as you have difficult encounters with others? Are you asking Him for His response to situations that you are facing … in the moment?
The opportunity to be met by one of these challenges …is daily. Are you always in ‘prayer’ / in listening conversation / with the Holy Spirit throughout your day? Part of our ‘spiritual warfare’ instruction Paul gives in Ephesians has to do with this prayer lifestyle.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Humility is in order when facing the scrutiny of the Lord.
Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. James 3:1-2 MSG
Who has mastered this standard God calls us to? So… if we truly understand this …what should our posture then be before the Lord? What should our posture be towards the Holy Spirit continuously throughout our day? Do you think you can accomplish ANY OF THIS with your own strength and knowledge?
What is hidden from the Lord?
Father- we admit we need YOU! Jesus – You showed us The Way. Holy Spirit empower us to hear and do what You suggest to us each day in each moment.