Life in the Body, Part 2: What Does Love Without Hypocrisy Look Like?

This morning as we continue in Romans 12, we are going to continue to look at what our behavior should look like in the Body of Christ.  Romans 12:1 sets the stage for us with the admonition to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice unto the Lord.  We are not just to put our offering envelopes or checks or cash in the offering plate.  We are to put our whole self in the offering plate.

 

As for what that looks like in the church, we are not to think more highly of ourselves, but we are to think soberly and of the other person first, and we are to use the gifts that God has given to us to serve faithfully one another within the body.

 

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul continued with that thought of how we are to treat others in the body of Christ or in other words…how we should treat brothers and sisters in our church. 

 

How do we know that?  Notice verse 10 uses the phrase “brotherly love.”  Verse 13 speaks of meeting the needs of the saints.  These words tell us that Paul is giving us instruction about life in the body.

 

Notice the beginning of verse 9.  The big umbrella that will cover all we hear this morning if the umbrella of love without hypocrisy or genuine love. 

 

Our word “love” is interesting because we use it in so many ways.  I love my wife, but I also love my daughters but differently.  I love EBC, but I also love TAMU but differently.  I love sports, but I also love steak but differently. 

 

The language of the NT is more precise than our English language.  Consequently, they have multiple words that we would translate love today, but what I want you to think about this morning is that Jesus commanded His followers to love.

 

John 13:34, 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 

And not only is that a command, that is also how the world will know us.

 

John 13:35, 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

So we are commanded to love and we will be known by our love, and that is the same love that Jesus demonstrated toward us.

 

John 3:16, 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

And this love is to be true of us and how we treat others within the church, and it should be without hypocrisy or genuine.

 

What comes next is what you might call Ten Commandments from the New Testament.  In these 5 verses, Paul in effect, gives us ten commandments that will demonstrate our love for those within the body of Christ.

 

 

1. Abhor evil.

 

Your translation my say hate.  The world say we aren’t supposed to hate, but God’s Word says we are.  We are to hate what is evil: acts not people.

 

2. Cling to good.

 

Cling is to cleave or glue your self or cement your self to what is good.  How do we know that is evil and what is good?  The Bible is the only objective and absolute standard. 

 

3. Give preference to others first.

 

We are prone to think about self first, but in the body, with kind affection and with honor, give preference to others first. 

 

That may mean sitting in a different seat if someone else is sitting there.  That may mean learning a new song that others know but you don’t.  That may mean parking a little further away for others to park closer.  

 

4. Be fervent in spirit.

 

Literally, this command means to be on fire for the Lord.  Your walk with Jesus ought to get as energy and effort as your job and your sport and your hobby. 

 

5. Serve the Lord.

 

And we know from the logic and the relationship behind the commandments to love God and love your neighbor that one of the best ways that you can serve the Lord is by serving your neighbor.  And if you’re not serving your neighbor, you’re not serving the Lord.

 

6. Rejoice in hope.

 

As a follower of Christ and regardless of our particular season of life, we are to always be looking ahead to hope of Christ’s return, and that is reason to rejoice.

 

7. Be patient in tribulation.

 

This life is full of trials and tribulations, and the follower of Christ is to be patient. Literally, we are to persevere.  God never promises to protect you from trials or even rescue us from trials, but He does promise never to leave us or forsake us.

 

8. Continue steadfastly in prayer.

 

Always be praying.  Be persistent in talking to God about others.

 

9. Distribute or give to the saints.

 

As is true today, it was true in first century Rome.  There will always be brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need.  We are called to help if we can.

 

The story of George Muller is familiar to some.  He was known at one time to have over $8,000,000 to his name in 19^th Century England.  However, after spending his life caring for over 10,000 orphans, he died with less than $1,000 to his name. 

 

10. Be hospitable.

 

In other words, be welcoming and accommodating to others with your words, actions, and attitudes.

 

 

Conclusion: 2 Samuel 9

Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”  2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”  He said, “At your service!”  3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?”  And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”  4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?”  And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”  5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.  6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?”  And he answered, “Here is your servant!”  7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”  9 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.”  “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.