When A Post Turns Into Attack

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You post something online that you believe is true and measured. Within hours the comments turn ugly. Someone you once considered a friend publicly questions your motives. Screenshots start circulating. Accusations fly. People who have never spoken to you weigh in with certainty and contempt. By the end of the day you feel attacked, misrepresented, and alone. In a world where road rage, bitter divisions, vitriol, and online attacks seem to be the order of the day, is genuine harmony even achievable?

Romans 12 And A Transformed Life

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Romans 12 1-2 describes a transformed life. Romans 12 14 to 16 shows us what that transformation looks like in our relationships. In Romans 12 14 to 16, the Apostle Paul describes a radically different way of living. He tells us to bless and not curse those who persecute us. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. We are to live in harmony with one another, reject pride and conceit, and willingly associate with those of humble or lowly position. Paul is describing what a transformed Christian life should look like, even when doing so goes against our natural instincts. Stay with me as we analyze this passage and discover how, through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, our relationships with others can become visible evidence of God's presence in our lives.

Bless Those Who Persecute You

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Perhaps one of the most basic human instincts is the tit for tat response enshrined in such statements as, You killed my dog, I killed your cat. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12, 14, writes and eat us, that is totally at odds with this tit for tat mentality. Paul admonishes us to bless and not curse those who persecute us. This is in keeping with the great doctrinal truths and transform life that Paul outlines in Romans 1 to 11 and 12, 1 to 13. These prior passages teach us that God uses persecution so that we might be conformed into the image of Christ Jesus. We also learn that the Holy Spirit of God produces a love in us. As a result, God is in us and our relationships, manifesting a divine love that human ability could never attain. The Greek word that is translated here to bless signifies both to pray for good to anyone and to do good. It also means to speak well of with praise and thanksgiving and to say good or positive things about someone. Paul is stating here that we should be constantly blessing those who are constantly persecuting us. This behavior is not to be confined to the people of God. It is to be extended towards our enemies. The command therefore is that, so far from wishing or praying that evil may overtake our persecutors and enemies, we must sincerely desire and pray for their good. It is not sufficient to avoid returning evil for evil. We must be able to sincerely desire the happiness of those who are doing us evil. It means that we will not go around bad-mouthing people who are unkind to us. Rather, we will speak well of them. It also means that we will pray for their forgiveness and blessing. This is supremely radical. This is a life-changing call. The Arabs have a custom which symbolizes what is called for here. They touch the head, lips and heart, indicating, I think highly of you. I speak well of you. My heart beats for you. The word that is used here for persecution means to follow after, to pursue after. The raccoon doesn't bother anybody. He sleeps all day long. He gets up in the evening and goes about his business. Then one night he hears the sound of dogs baying out there in the dark and they get on his trail. That poor little raccoon wasn't bothering anybody, but he is being hunted nonetheless. That is the word that the Apostle Paul uses here for persecute. As believers, we may encounter people who pursue or oppose us, especially because we seek to live a godly life. Persecution emphasizes that our Lord was persecuted, and so we as his disciples should expect persecution. Paul then reiterates that we need to bless and curse not. Inevitably, in life, we will meet those who care nothing for us and are in fact opposed to all that we stand for. Paul's advice is to ask that such persons might enjoy the blessings of God. To bless in the sense is to ask God to bestow his favor upon someone. The old nature says, curse them. God says, ask me to bless them. This can only be true of a mind that is no longer being conformed to the world, but transformed by the Spirit and the Word. We are not just to endure persecution, not just to refrain from striking back at our persecutors, and not even just to refrain from wishing them harm. Rather, Paul boldly commands us to continuously pray a prayer of blessing for our persecutors. We must keep in mind that God was gracious to us when we were sinners. He continues to be gracious to us when we sin. We should be gracious to those in Satan's domain of darkness who are slaves to sin. Our blessing those who persecute us may be the startling behavior that opens them up to the Savior. Obedience to this command is not humanly possible, but is supernaturally possible as we present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, dead to self, but alive to God's desires. In Luke 23, 34, as Jesus hung on the cross, he prayed for the perpetrators. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. The surpassing greatness of the love of Jesus Christ in us is that it can be extended to our enemies even as he himself did. Curse here means to invoke evil on someone by saying that a supernatural power will cause harm to that person. In the Old Testament, the soothsayer Balaam was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to pronounce a curse on the Israelites. In the ancient world, it was believed that when a person spoke good words about someone else, those words conveyed a blessing on that other person's life. Conversely, people believe that when someone spoke curses over another person, these very words cause curses to come upon that person's life. Scripture likewise emphasizes the tremendous power and consequences of our words. As King Solomon writes in Proverbs 1821, the tongue has a power of life and death. We can only bless our persecutors and not curse them if we are more concerned about their eternal welfare than we are about our suffering. Do we genuinely care that those who we come in contact with may come to know more about Jesus? The author Josephine Ligon chronicles an incident of blessing those that persecute us that occurred when she was a young girl. There was a family named Parsons in her hometown that preach and practice forgiveness. On one occasion, Josephine and some of her third grade friends put a handful of pencil shavings into the Parsons girl's sandwich just to be mean and to make her mad. However, she didn't get mad. Instead, the next day, without any sign of repentance from her persecutors, the Parsons girl brought everyone in the class a large, beautiful, hand-decorated cookie that said, Jesus loves you. With her mother's help, that little girl blessed her persecutors, and those third graders remembered it for the rest of their lives. Have we blessed anyone recently who persecuted us? Blessing those who persecute us is only the beginning.

Rejoice And Mourn With Others

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Paul immediately shows us that the transformed heart also enters fully into the joys and sorrows of others. Empathy is a capacity for sharing vicariously the feelings and emotions of others. However, in order to enter sincerely into others' joys and sorrows, we have to take the time to understand what the other person is experiencing. Here in Romans 12:15, the Apostle Paul calls on us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn. Christian fellowship is much more than a pat on the back and a handshake. It means sharing the burdens and the blessings of others so that we all grow together and glorify the Lord. Because believers are body, when one part hurts, everyone feels the pain. And conversely, when one part is joyful, everyone should rejoice. This is the opposite of a selfish indifference to any interest but our own. The gospel requires that we should feel and act under the impression that all men are brethren. Within the family of God, we share a common father, a common salvation in Christ, and a common hope. Therefore, not a believer's joy and sorrow should matter deeply to us. Interestingly, to weep with those that weep is often easier than to rejoice with those who rejoice. Those who rejoice neither need, expect nor feel grateful for sympathy in the same degree as those who weep. Paul states that we should rejoice with those who rejoice. The Greek word that is translated here for rejoice means to be in a state of happiness or well-being. To ancient Greeks it was a greeting, a wish for the happiness of one's friend. Bible scholars observe that it is more difficult to congratulate another on his success, especially if his success involves disappointment to us, than it is to sympathize with his sorrow and his loss. It is only when self is dead that we can take as much joy in the success of others as in our own. If there is something someone else has achieved that we think we ought to have, it is hard to go up to that person and say, I'm so glad for you. But that is what love does, and it is possible to do it for those who walk in the spirit. 40,000 fans were on hand in the Auckland Stadium on April 28, 1991, when Ricky Henderson tied Lou Brock's career stolen base record. According to USA Today, Lou had left baseball in 1979, had followed Henderson's career, and was excited about his success. Realizing that Ricky would set a new record, Brock said, I'll be dear. Do you think I'm gonna miss it now? Ricky did in 12 years what took me 19. He's amazing. What Lou Brock did in cheering on Ricky Henderson should be a way of life in the family of God. Paul continues by exhorting us to mourn for those who mourn. The Greek word that is used here for weep can imply not only shedding of tears, but to wail or lament over someone or something. Each person grieves uniquely, yet we all need to share our hearts, our burdens, or questions, and our sadness with someone else. That's why it's vital that we find others with whom to discuss our pain and sorrow. A story is told about a little boy with a big heart. His next door neighbor was an older gentleman whose wife had recently died. When the youngster saw the elderly man crying, he climbed up onto his lap and simply sat there. Later, his mother asked the boy what he had said to their saddened neighbor. Nothing, the child replied. I just helped him cry. The bond of tears is the strongest of all. Dave Brannon writes, the falling the death of their 17-year-old daughter in a car accident in June 2002. Each member of his family handled the loss differently. For his wife, among the most helpful sources of comfort were a visit from moms who had also lost a child in an accident. Sue found strength in their stories, and she wanted them to tell her how God had been faithful in their lives despite the deep sorrow that comes with losing a precious child. Soon Sue became part of a circle of compassion, a small group of moms who could weep, pray, and seek God's help together. That cadre of grieving moms formed a bond of empathy and hope that provided encouragement in the face of her daily sorrow. Have we recently mourned with someone who was mourning? When we truly rejoice and mourn with one another, we begin to live as a real family. That family life requires something still deeper, genuine harmony, humility, and a willingness to stand with the lowly.

Harmony Through Humility

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Lord Nelson, after one of his great victories, sent back a dispatch in which he stated as a reason for his success, I had a happiness to command a band of brothers. In Romans 12, 16, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to live in harmony with one another, reject pride and conceit, and willingly associate with those of humble or lowly position. The Apostle Paul is asking us to live in harmony with one another. One another is a common New Testament phrase, especially in Paul's letters, and normally relates to the building up of the body of Christ. Paul does not mean to imply that we must see alike on every non-essential issue. He's not speaking of uniformity of mind, but rather of a harmony in our relationships. Paul is calling us to unity based on our common salvation, our shared purpose in the gospel, and our shared hope in Christ. To be of the same mind is to show equal regard for others. The sequoir trees of California tower as much as 300 feet above the ground. These giant trees have unusually shallow root systems that reach out in all directions. Their intertwining roots provide support for each other against the storms. Seldom will you see a redwood standing alone because high winds would quickly uproot it. This is what living in harmony is like for Christian believers. Paul calls on believers to avoid all pride and snobbishness and to willingly associate with those of humble or lowly position. The thought in Romans 12, 16 is to go along with, to be at home with, and to associate comfortably with others, specifically the lowly, less fortunate, less advantaged. The idea is not restricted to lowly people, but also includes lowly or humble tasks. If we see trash on the floor of church, we should pick it up and throw it away. If we see that the trash bags are full at the church function, we should carry them out. Or as applied to people who may not be at our economic or educational level, we should reach out in love and make them feel accepted. We must put ourselves on the same level and relate graciously to them as we would want to be related to if we were in their shoes. They are both humble tasks and ordinary people who need our attention. To withdraw from either is to allow pride to control our lives, and pride disrupts a vital one-another harmony of the body. It is said that in an early Christian congregation, a notable convert was made. The great man comes his first church service. He enters the room where the service is being held. The Christian leader points to a place. Will you sit there please? But says the man, I cannot sit there, for that would be to sit beside my slave. Will you sit there please? repeats the leader. But says the man, surely not beside my slave. Will you sit there please? repeats the leader once again. And the man at last crosses a room, sits beside his slave, and gives him the kiss of peace. That is what Christianity did. This is what it alone could do in the Roman Empire. The Christian church was the only place where master and slave sat side by side. It is still the place where all earthly distinctions are gone, for with God there is no respect of persons, and on it or unwillingness to associate with lowly people or perform lowly tasks, often lies the very thing Paul addresses next, pride. Paul now admonishes us not to be conceited. Paul is calling on his readers not to be proud, since pride destroys the harmony of the body. Previously in Romans 12.3, Paul cautioned that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. Paul is warning us of the danger of intellectual pride. Paul is saying, do not continually think high, lofty, or elevated thoughts about yourselves. How we think determines how we live. Christians are not to have conceit or feelings of superiority toward fellow believers. Some of the Roman saints were becoming wise in their own estimation. Paul is saying stop or don't begin this habit of being wise in your own eyes. That believers have nothing of eternal value, that we did not receive from the giver of every good and perfect gift should keep each of us from an inflated ego. Paul is calling us to surrender to the Spirit's power, for that is ultimately the only way to truly fulfill the command, not naturally but supernaturally. A fitting illustration of this comes from the life of Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes. When Mr. Hughes was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, he moved to Washington and transferred his letter to a Baptist church there. His father had been a Baptist minister, and Hughes had been a lifelong witness to his own faith in Christ. It was the custom in that Baptist church to have all new members come forward during the morning service and be introduced to the congregation. On this particular day, the first to be called was a Chinese laundryman, A Singh, who had moved to Washington from San Francisco and kept a laundry near the church. He stood at the far side of the pulpit. As others were called, they took positions at the extreme opposite side. When a dozen people had gathered, as Singh still stood alone. Then Chief Justice Hughes was called and he significantly stood next to the laundryman. Christians are to associate with everyone, the ordinary people, the unimportant, the outcast of society. On an everyday basis, are we associating with those who might be considered

Putting Romans 12 Into Practice

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lowly? We started by asking if it is possible to truly live in harmony with others. Paul, having given us the steps by which we can become transformed in Romans 12, 1 to 2, now proceeds in verses 14 to 16 to tell us what living out that transformed life entails. We are to bless and not curse those who persecute us. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. We are to live in harmony with one another, reject pride and conceit, and willingly associate with those of humble or lowly position. The person who hurt us, the person whose success makes us envious, the person whose grief interrupts our schedule, the person society considers beneath us, the person with whom we profoundly disagree, even them. This is what a transformed Christian life looks like in our relationships. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to live out the Romans 12, 14 to 16 mandates in our day-to-day walk with Jesus.

Prayer And Next Steps

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Before you go, if this message spoke to you, like this podcast and subscribe so you don't miss what God is doing here at Catch on Fire Podcast. If you're ready for real change, take a moment right now to pray with me. Jesus, I give you my life. Lead me, forgive me, and make me new. If you pray that, welcome to the family. Follow along, stay connected, and let's walk this walk together. Growing scripture, discipleship, and Christian leadership through the online course found at Biblical Discipleship Academy.uscreen dot io. Discover the covenant story and learn to see the Bible as one unified story. Go deeper with until Christ is formed in you and grow as a disciple of Jesus. Explore leadership is discipleship and learn why true Christian leadership begins with following Jesus. Start studying, start learning, start growing. Join us at Biblical Discipleship Academy.uscreen.io.

Declarations Psalm And Blessing

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Please join me as we confess words of life over all of our lives. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are still holding on to God's unchanging hand. We are still in God's holy plan. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living holy lives as God requires. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, giving clothes to those in need, ministering to the sick and visiting those in prison, and we are doing so to the least of those among us, as when we do so we are ministering to Jesus. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we have received healing, as by his stripes we are healed. From the crown of our head to the soles of our feet, all of our bodily organs are working correctly. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that God is ordering our steps, that all weapons that are formed against us have been utterly and completely destroyed, and every tongue that is rising against us in judgment is condemned. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that all generational curses are cancelled. Anything that runs in our ancestral bloodline that is not of God has no power over us, our children and our grandchildren, and is eliminated forever right now. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that angels are watching over and keeping our family, our children, our grandchildren, our loved ones safe. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every negative word that has been and is being spoken over our lives and that of our family, children, grandchildren, and loved ones is cancelled and sent back to the pit from whence it came. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are the head and not the tail. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are not and will never be ashamed. Our enemies have not and never will triumph over us. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that anything that is not of God that has been dispatched to hinder our blessings, our progress, and our well-being is immediately destroyed. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are financially in line with God's word, and as such we are lenders and not borrowers. As a result, all of our debts have been paid and are forgiven. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that the enemy of our souls has no authority over our finances and our funds, and that we are good stewards of the money that God has placed in our keeping. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus in the area of business and our carriers, that just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold, the blessings of Abraham are falling on us, and we are reaping a hundredfold from whatever we put our hands to. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living under an open heaven in every area of our lives. Blessings are falling on us, our family and our loved ones. These blessings are being manifested in our lives, in the spiritual and in the physical. Let's repeat the 23rd Psalm together. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restored my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.