In Harmony

[Sue J Love]

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor 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 pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 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, and 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. Rom. 12:9-21 NASB​

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to love one another with godly love, and we are to do so sincerely, without hypocrisy. When we truly love God and others, we will hate what God hates, and we will honor what he honors. We will hate what brings harm to others, and we will desire for others what is best for them.

We won’t rejoice with them in their sin or pat them on the back and tell them they are ok just like they are, if we know they are living in sin. We will lovingly tell them the truth about sin, and how God feels about it, and what he did for us in order to free us from bondage to sin.

Jesus gave up his reputation and his life to see us be free from sin. We should love one another with that same kind of love that cares more about what is best for others than it does about our own reputations, i.e. what people will think of us if we tell them the truth.

We should never lack in zeal (passion) when it comes to our walks of faith with Christ, but we should serve our Lord with dedication, and with eagerness to obey him in all things. As servants of the Lord, and as those who love our fellow humans, we should be sensitive to the needs of others and be willing to help meet their legitimate needs, as we have the resources to help them, and as God leads.

We, as the body of Christ, should do the things that Jesus did, as well as care about what is important to him.

We should be sympathetic and compassionate toward the hurting and the needy, while exercising godly wisdom. And, we must be willing to suffer rejection, false accusations and persecution, even from those to whom we are demonstrating the love of Christ, because we want to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ and to grow in his grace and in their walks of faith to maturity.

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
“He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
“For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Pet. 3:8-17 NASB​

In Harmony
An Original Work / September 2, 2012

Based off Ro. 12:9-21; 1 Pet. 3:8-17

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.