Romans 12:3-13 (NIV)

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with you faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Reflection:

In this Passage we see that there must be some kind of “good” or action that we actively do towards one another. Walter A. Elwell writes, “Love is a transitive reality—that is, it requires an object. In the Bible, love is described as personal (between persons) and selfless (desiring the best for others). Christians see God’s love in sending his Son to die on the cross to save sinners (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Christians are to be known by the fact that they love God and others (John (13:34–35). Their love is not to be like the love the world has (Luke 6:32, 35). Love is best seen in actions and in most cases is to be identified with what we do—in our compassion and commitment to those around us, regardless of the object’s virtue (1 John 4:19). Our loving attitudes and behavior are to reflect God’s love.”
Jesus said that only two commands are needed to direct our lives: To love God and to love our neighbors. If such love is demonstrated, all the law and prophets are fulfilled. Just like the famous Nike slogan, “just do it,” we are to actively live out these commands to love others through our outward actions, and as we do this, we invite God’s love to flourish in our hearts.

Response:

As Christians, we are defined by the simple fact that God has loved us, that we love God and we love others (John 13:34-35). Think of practical ways to go out and demonstrate some kind of “good” or action towards someone in your ministry and those around you. Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal and fill our hearts with more of His heart to love others.