Living Out Love: A Radical Christian Ethic
Summary
In Romans 12:14-17, we are called to live out a radical ethic of love, both within the church and towards those outside it. This passage challenges us to bless those who persecute us, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. The transformation that comes from being in Christ is internal, affecting our hearts and minds, and it should manifest in our relationships with others. This transformation is not just about refraining from evil but actively doing good, even to those who oppose us.
The world is hostile to the gospel, and persecution is to be expected. Yet, our response should not mirror the world's hostility. Instead, we are called to bless our persecutors, reflecting the love of Christ. This is not a passive avoidance of cursing but an active pursuit of blessing. The Christian ethic is not merely about avoiding sin but about embodying love, even towards our enemies.
Within the church, love is expressed through unity and empathy. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, recognizing that we are one body in Christ. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. Our love for one another is a witness to the world, showing that we are Christ's disciples.
Maintaining this unity requires humility. We are to associate with the lowly and not be wise in our own sight. Humility is the foundation of love and unity, and it begins with each of us. We cannot achieve this by merely following Christ's example; it requires a personal relationship with Him. Only through the Spirit's work in us can we truly live out this ethic of love.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian life is marked by an internal transformation that affects our relationships with others. This transformation is not just about avoiding evil but actively doing good, even to those who oppose us. [04:43]
- Persecution is an expected part of the Christian life, yet our response should be one of blessing, not retaliation. This reflects the love of Christ and is a powerful testimony to the world. [06:13]
- Within the church, love is expressed through unity and empathy. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, recognizing that we are one body in Christ. [19:27]
- Maintaining unity in the church requires humility. We are to associate with the lowly and not be wise in our own sight. Humility is the foundation of love and unity. [30:55]
- True Christian living is not achieved by merely following Christ's example but through a personal relationship with Him. Only through the Spirit's work in us can we truly live out this ethic of love. [36:45]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Opening Prayer
[01:31] - Scripture Reading
[02:12] - Personal Testimony
[04:01] - Internal Transformation
[05:32] - Relations with the World
[06:59] - Persecution in History and Today
[09:27] - Responding to Persecution
[12:05] - Love Your Enemies
[14:24] - The Golden Rule
[15:42] - The Good Samaritan
[16:35] - Personal Story of Blessing
[18:36] - The Ethic of Love
[19:27] - Love Within the Church
[23:04] - Unity and Love
[30:16] - Maintaining Unity
[32:34] - The Mind of Christ
[34:30] - Sanctification and Humility
[36:45] - Coming to Christ
[37:57] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:14-17
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Jeremiah 31:33
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific actions does Paul instruct believers to take towards those who persecute them in Romans 12:14? How does this differ from a natural human response? [05:32]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the internal transformation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and how does it affect our relationships with others? [04:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of humility in maintaining unity within the church, as seen in Romans 12:16? [30:55]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of blessing those who persecute you, and how does this reflect the ethic of love? [18:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the internal transformation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17 relate to the Christian ethic of love and doing good, even to those who oppose us? [04:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that persecution is an expected part of the Christian life, and how should believers respond according to Romans 12:14? [06:13]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of unity and empathy within the church, and what role does humility play in achieving this? [23:04]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between a personal relationship with Christ and the ability to live out the Christian ethic of love? [36:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced hostility or persecution for your faith. How did you respond, and how might you apply the teaching of Romans 12:14 to bless those who oppose you? [05:32]
2. Consider the internal transformation that comes from being in Christ. How has this transformation affected your relationships with others, both inside and outside the church? [04:43]
3. In what ways can you actively pursue unity and empathy within your church community? How can humility play a role in this pursuit? [23:04]
4. Think about a person or group you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to bless them, as encouraged by the sermon? [18:36]
5. How can you cultivate a personal relationship with Christ that enables you to live out the ethic of love described in the sermon? What specific actions can you take this week to deepen this relationship? [36:45]
6. Reflect on the unity within your church. Are there areas where you see division or disunity? How can you contribute to fostering a spirit of harmony and love? [23:04]
7. Identify a situation where you might be tempted to respond with hostility or resentment. How can you prepare yourself to respond with the love and blessing described in Romans 12:14? [05:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Active Love
The Christian life is marked by an internal transformation that affects our relationships with others. This transformation is not just about avoiding evil but actively doing good, even to those who oppose us. The call to bless those who persecute us is a radical departure from the natural human inclination to retaliate or harbor resentment. Instead, it is an invitation to embody the love of Christ, who loved us while we were still sinners. This active love is a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel, showing that our faith is not just a set of beliefs but a lived reality. [04:43]
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you actively show them love and kindness this week?
Day 2: Blessing in the Face of Persecution
Persecution is an expected part of the Christian life, yet our response should be one of blessing, not retaliation. This reflects the love of Christ and is a powerful testimony to the world. When faced with hostility, the natural response is to defend oneself or retaliate. However, the Christian ethic calls for a different approach—one that seeks to bless rather than curse. This is not a passive acceptance of injustice but an active choice to reflect Christ's love, even in the face of adversity. By doing so, we demonstrate the power of the gospel to transform hearts and minds, offering a glimpse of God's kingdom to a watching world. [06:13]
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel persecuted or misunderstood. How can you choose to bless those involved today?
Day 3: Unity and Empathy Within the Church
Within the church, love is expressed through unity and empathy. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, recognizing that we are one body in Christ. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. When we share in each other's joys and sorrows, we reflect the heart of Christ and strengthen the bonds of fellowship within the church. This mutual empathy fosters a sense of belonging and community, showing the world that we are truly Christ's disciples. [19:27]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your church community who is experiencing joy or sorrow? How can you come alongside them in empathy this week?
Day 4: Humility as the Foundation of Unity
Maintaining unity in the church requires humility. We are to associate with the lowly and not be wise in our own sight. Humility is the foundation of love and unity. It begins with each of us recognizing our own need for grace and being willing to serve others without seeking recognition or status. This humility allows us to see others as God sees them, valuing each person as a beloved child of God. By embracing humility, we create an environment where love can flourish, and unity can be maintained, reflecting the character of Christ to the world. [30:55]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your interactions with others this week, especially those who may be overlooked or marginalized?
Day 5: Living Out the Ethic of Love Through the Spirit
True Christian living is not achieved by merely following Christ's example but through a personal relationship with Him. Only through the Spirit's work in us can we truly live out this ethic of love. This relationship with Christ transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to love others as He loves us. It is through the Spirit's empowerment that we can embody the radical love and grace that Christ demonstrated. As we cultivate this relationship, we become more like Him, reflecting His love to the world and drawing others to Him. [36:45]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with Christ this week to allow His Spirit to work more fully in your life?
Quotes
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." [00:01:01]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." It's an internal change. And that internal change, it affects how we relate with others. There's an ethic that is tied to the fact that we have now been regenerated, that we are born again. [00:04:43]
We live in a hostile world. You have been born again. If you are a Christian, you are regenerated, and yet, this world is not regenerated, and it is a hostile place in which to live. And Jesus will warn the apostles before His going to glory. He will warn them about His own imminent death. [00:05:32]
And there's this pull when we're persecuted to respond, and respond with equal measure. I think one of the things that is difficult about being a Christian in this world, one of the many things, but one of the things is this, is that we know that though it doesn't always come out right, we know in the bottom of our hearts that what we desire for the world is its best. [00:08:58]
Jesus said this, He said, "Love your enemies," whereas Paul says here, "Bless those who persecute you." When Christ is what animates you, this then, all of a sudden, becomes doable. It becomes a holy pursuit. You can hate the things of the world; seek to bless your enemies. That's the ethic of the Christian. [00:13:01]
"Bless them," which of course includes, "Do not curse them." Let's try and understand this. Jesus gave us the golden rule, He said, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." The golden rule, it takes aim at both sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are sins that you and I that we commit by doing something evil. [00:14:24]
The Christian ethic with those who are enemies is wholly different. It's one of the ways we are so markedly different from the world. This hit me years ago. There was a family that did great injury to me. I won't go into details, just sum it up by saying they were trying to destroy my reputation, take away ministry. [00:16:35]
"Bless those who persecute you." Stephen is doing this, the very first martyr of the faith. He is being stoned to death and he is praying for their blessing. Our Lord and Saviour upon the cross, as He is dying, He is praying for their blessing. This is the way, "Bless those who persecute you." What is that? That's an ethic of love, the ethic of Christ for even the worst of those outside the body, those that would seek our destruction is an ethic of love. [00:18:36]
Love is others-centred, and the Christian ethic above all is love. As Dr. Nichols was pointing out in John 13 there, Jesus said, "They will know you by your love for one another." "They will know you by your love for one another." In fact, this leads Paul to say in verse 16, "Live in harmony with one another." Love, within the body, necessitates unity. [00:23:04]
It's the most heterogeneous body in the universe, and it is the most homogeneous body in the universe because all were united by the same thing, that they've received the grace of Christ. We've been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. That we are united together as a body under our one Lord and our one head and King. [00:24:46]
How do we maintain such love and unity in the body of Christ? Well, that is the rest of the passage, it seems to me, from the Apostle Paul, and I think what he is doing is he is giving us now how to work that out to live in harmony with one another. And he is then showing us all of these examples of how it is that we do that. [00:30:16]
You will never have the mind of Christ, you will never bless those who persecute you, you will never maintain unity in the body, you will never be able to weep with those who weep or mourn with those who mourn or rejoice with those who rejoice by just following the example of Christ. He is not a moral philosopher. He is not an ethics teacher. He is the Lord and Savior. [00:36:45]
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