Living Faith: Embracing Love, Justice, and Unity

Devotional

Day 1: Living Faith Through Action

The essence of Christian doctrine is not merely to inform our beliefs but to transform our lives. This transformation is evident in how we live out our faith through our actions and attitudes. In a world that often resists words, our lives become the testimony that draws others to the faith. By embodying Christ's love and peace, we reflect the transformative power of the gospel. This call to action challenges us to live in a way that reflects Christ's love, drawing others to Him through our example. [01:17]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific action you can take today to demonstrate Christ's love to someone in your life. How can this action serve as a testimony to your faith?

Day 2: Trusting God's Justice

The natural human inclination is to seek vengeance when wronged, but as Christians, we are called to a higher standard. Romans 12:19-20 reminds us that vengeance belongs to God, and we are to trust in His perfect justice. This teaching is not about passively accepting injustice but about recognizing our limitations in judgment and leaving ultimate justice to God. By doing so, we maintain peace and unity, reflecting God's love even in the face of adversity. [14:08]

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." (Proverbs 20:22, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to let go of the desire for personal vengeance? How can you actively choose to trust in God's justice today?

Day 3: Pursuing Peace and Unity

Maintaining peace and unity within the body of Christ is paramount. We are called to strive for harmony, avoiding actions that cause division or strife. By embodying the love and peace of Christ, we reflect the unity and oneness that should characterize the body of Christ. This pursuit of peace is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the strength and transformative power of the gospel. [03:52]

"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship or situation where you can actively pursue peace and unity. What steps can you take today to foster harmony and avoid division?

Day 4: Zeal for God's Glory

While we must not seek personal vengeance, we are called to be zealous for God's truth, justice, and glory. Our passion should be for His name to be honored and His righteousness to be upheld. This zeal is not about personal gain but about a strong commitment to truth and justice for the glory of God. By focusing on His glory, we navigate the complexities of life with a balanced perspective. [27:52]

"For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me." (Psalm 69:9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you can demonstrate zeal for God's glory. How can you actively honor His name and uphold His righteousness today?

Day 5: Understanding God's Wrath

The wrath of God is not like human anger; it is just, holy, and controlled. Recognizing this helps us trust in His ultimate justice and vindication, providing comfort and hope in a world of injustice. By understanding God's wrath, we gain a deeper appreciation for His justice and the assurance that He will ultimately set things right. This perspective offers peace and hope as we navigate the challenges of life. [20:18]

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." (Romans 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the nature of God's wrath change your perspective on justice and injustice in the world? What steps can you take to trust in His ultimate vindication today?

Sermon Summary

In Romans 12:19-20, we are reminded of the profound call to live out our faith through our actions, especially in how we respond to others. The essence of Christian doctrine is not just to inform our beliefs but to transform our lives, guiding us to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and peace. In a world often resistant to words, our lives become the testimony that draws others to the faith. This passage challenges us to respond to persecution and wrongdoing not with vengeance but with love and peace, embodying the unity and oneness that should characterize the body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that vengeance is not ours to take; it belongs to God. Our natural inclination might be to retaliate when wronged, but as Christians, we are called to a higher standard. We are to leave room for God's wrath, trusting in His perfect justice. This teaching is not about passive acceptance of injustice but about recognizing our limitations in judgment and leaving ultimate justice to God. Our role is to maintain peace and unity, reflecting God's love even in the face of adversity.

Furthermore, this teaching addresses the misconception that Christianity promotes a passive or weak response to evil. Instead, it calls for a strong commitment to truth, justice, and the glory of God. We are to be zealous for God's name and His righteousness, understanding that His ultimate vindication will come. This perspective helps us navigate the complexities of life, balancing personal humility with a passion for God's justice.

Key Takeaways

1. Doctrine to Practice: The purpose of Christian doctrine is to lead us to live out our faith in practical ways. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, drawing others to Christ through our actions and attitudes. [01:17]
2. Vengeance Belongs to God: We are called to resist the natural urge for personal vengeance, recognizing that judgment and justice are God's prerogatives. Our role is to trust in His perfect justice and leave room for His wrath. [14:08]
3. Peace and Unity: Maintaining peace and unity within the body of Christ is paramount. We are to strive for harmony, avoiding actions that cause division or strife, and instead, embodying the love and peace of Christ. [03:52]
4. Zeal for God's Glory: While we must not seek personal vengeance, we are called to be zealous for God's truth, justice, and glory. Our passion should be for His name to be honored and His righteousness to be upheld. [27:52]
5. Understanding God's Wrath: The wrath of God is not like human anger; it is just, holy, and controlled. Recognizing this helps us trust in His ultimate justice and vindication, providing comfort and hope in a world of injustice. [20:18]
** [20:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Romans 12:19-20
[00:37] - The Purpose of Doctrine
[01:17] - Living Out Our Faith
[02:04] - The Call to Peace and Unity
[02:52] - Practical Christian Living
[03:52] - The Importance of Unity
[05:20] - Avenge Not Yourselves
[06:38] - The Subtlety of the Devil
[07:40] - Negative and Positive Commands
[09:22] - Giving Place to Wrath
[13:31] - The Wrath of God
[16:35] - God's Prerogative in Vengeance
[20:18] - Understanding God's Wrath
[27:52] - Zeal for God's Glory
[50:23] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

"People are not ready to listen to what we've got to say but they still are ready to listen to our lives and we find this as a motive running right through this chapter. We are exalted to do these things not only for ourselves and our own peace of mind and of heart and our own enjoyment of this salvation but we are called to do it still more in order that we may truly represent the Christian Life to others and thereby attract people unto it." [00:01:20]

"The Apostle's great emphasis is this: that the whole purpose of Doctrine is to lead to life, to practice, to conduct, and to behavior. And especially at a time like this is it important that we should bear that in mind. People are not ready to listen to what we've got to say but they still are ready to listen to our lives." [00:01:09]

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give Place unto wrath. Now the word rather is not in the original; it has been supplied by these authorized translators and of course, it's a good addition. It helps us to understand. The word rather helps to bring out the contrast. Instead of doing that, go to The Other Extreme." [00:09:27]

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing, Thou shalt Heap Coals of fire on his head. In other words, we are continuing our study of this last section of this most important 12th chapter of Paul's to the Romans." [00:00:33]

"Vengeance is mine, says God, not yours. The emphasis is upon the mine. Mine is the Vengeance, not yours. So you see, the Apostle brings in his quotation as is his custom to substantiate an argument. He says don't you do that because Vengeance really doesn't belong to you; it belongs to God." [00:15:23]

"God's judgment, God's Wrath is always holy, it is always just, it is always righteous, it is always controlled. Now this word wrath, you see, is used here with respect to God. Neither, but he says, but rather give place to the wrath of God. Now we've already had this expression about the wrath of God way back in the 18th verse of the first chapter of this great epistle." [00:19:11]

"Never seek personal Vengeance. Never avenge not yourself. Never seek personal Vengeance. Why not? Well, the reason is this: that it is God's work to do that and not ours. That is God's prerogative, that is God's business if you like, that is God's work, it isn't ours." [00:16:39]

"God Alone is the judge. He is the judge of the whole earth and he alone is the judge. God's judgment, God's Wrath is always holy, it is always just, it is always righteous, it is always controlled. Now this word wrath, you see, is used here with respect to God." [00:19:39]

"We must never desire the harm of the person who's offended us, never. So you don't leave him to God in order that he may get yet greater punishment. Quite the reverse, you leave him to God because you recognize and realize that you are incapable of a just judgment and that God Alone is capable of it." [00:21:50]

"We must never be concerned about personal rocks or seek personal Vengeance. That is an absolute. Never, never seek personal Vengeance. Doesn't matter what has been done to you, that is always wrong. Avenge not yourselves. We must go further than that. We must never desire even an enemy personal harm." [00:26:10]

"It is not only a right but it is our duty to desire that God's Reign should be Vindicated and extended and that God's glory should be manifested over the whole earth. It is our duty to desire that and, fifthly, it is right that we should be comforted by the fact that God Reigns over all." [00:27:51]

"If you don't feel that you look for the day when God will vindicate himself and all the scoffers and the Sinners of today and of all ages will be receiving the just recompense of reward, I say you are understanding of the scripture is defective and your worship of God is seriously defective." [00:51:55]

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