“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10. 

Footprints #375. Faith is not a substitute for obedience, as if faith somehow nullifies our obligation to obey the Lord. The moral precepts are still in force; they are explained, even amplified in the New Testament. And no indication is given, either, that it will be easy for the Christian to regulate his or her life by these moral precepts. On the contrary, we’re told that at times it could be difficult, for the battle with self and with sin is always hard (1Pet. 4:1). The Christian is promised divine power and given assurance that victory is possible, but we are still in the world of the enemy and will have to fight many battles against temptation. The good news is that if we fall or stumble, we are not cast away but have a High Priest who intercedes on our behalf (Heb. 7:25). 

Read Romans 12:3-21. This passage, in a practical manner, reveals how we are to love others.  “God is love” (1John 4:8). Therefore, love describes the character of God. To love is to act toward others as God acts and to treat them as God treats them. We are most like God when we love! (NB 13:8) 

One important principle comes through in this passage, and that is personal humility: a willingness of a person “not to think of himself more highly than he ought” (Rom.12:3), a willingness to “give preference to one another in honor”  (Rom.12:10), and a willingness not to “be wise in your own opinion” (Rom.12:16). Christ’s words about Himself, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt.11:29), catch the essence of it. 

Of all people, Christians should be the humblest. After all, look at how helpless we are. Look at how fallen we are. Look at how dependent we are, not only upon righteousness outside of ourselves for salvation but also on a power working in us in order to change us in ways we never can change ourselves. What have we to brag of? What have we to boast of? What have we in and of ourselves to be proud about? Nothing at all. Working from the starting point of this personal humility – not only before God but before others – we are to live as Paul admonishes us to in these verses. Are we living at peace with everyone (v18) or do we need some attitude adjustments?  

Romans 13:1-7 has basic principles about how we are to live with worldly governments. Remember this was written when a corrupt, brutal, persecuting and pagan empire ruled the world. Yet despite all this, Paul was advocating that (unless it conflicts with the claims of God) Christians as much as is possible be good citizens, even under a government like Rome?