Presented, August 21, 2005
HOW TO BEHAVE AS CHRISTIANS (2)
Romans 12:12
Tonight we continue our study of the above text. Paul is in the midst of giving some practical advice on dealing with the way we ought to behave as Christians. Last Sunday we noted 5 characteristics including 1)a genuine Christian love, 2)Abhorring evil and clinging to good, 3)Kind affection toward one another (a form of the Greek word storge) in brotherly love, 4) Preferring one another in honor (not simply preferring our brethren, but taking the lead in the way we treat our brethren, 5)With diligence, we are fervent in spirit as we serve the Lord. Tonight, we notice some more of the behaviors Paul addresses in this text. Bear in mind, he is calling for unity and the need to work together as the parts of a body function.
About this text: As we begin tonight with vs. 12 I see attitudes that apply to us as individuals. They are attitudes each individual himself must possess (i.e. no one else can hope for you, be patient in your stead, etc.). Because of this, my understanding is that this entire context making reference to individual Christians. He is saying what YOU or I need to do, regardless of how others act or what they do. This was borne out in our lesson last week as we noted that we need to “take the lead” in loving our brethren.
I. Rejoicing in Hope
a. Christians have hope. It is the reason why we are here. If all there was to life is the here and now there is no real reason to live your life in abstinence of anything. Do what you want, when you want and how you want. The only rules you would need to follow are those that help you maintain your lifestyle (i.e. – you obey the laws so you keep out of jail, you work to make money so you can do what you want, etc.). But as Christians, we know better. We know there is something better waiting for us on the other side of life – and that is why we live with self-control in all things. We have HOPE.
b. What is hope? Vine’s describes it as, “favorable and confident expectation.” We talked about it in our lesson this morning (Hebrews 1:1). Thayer pinpoints it by saying, “in the Christian sense, joyful and confident expectation of eternal life.” That is what it is all about. That is WHY we are here!
c.
Hebrews 6:19 describes our hope “as an anchor of
the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
Romans 5:4-5 says, “now hope does not disappoint…”
Romans 15:13 – God is the source of our hope – it is found in our belief.
1 Peter 1:3 – He has begotten us again to a living hope…
d.
In this we rejoice – Our hope ought to bring us
true joy. It is this hope that makes the Christian act different – especially
in times of difficulty.
Hebrews 10:34, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 16 – in suffering we rejoice
Think of the songs we sing – Consider, “Walking Alone at Eve”
e. As the church, we share that hope. We are ALL here for the same reason – we want to go to heaven when this life is over – and we know those around us want that as well. Together, we have a pretty good understanding of what God expects, a like precious faith, and we have complied to His will. It is a bond that unites us together. And we need to treasure that bond.
f.
SOMETIMES we become overly critical of one another
– assuming the worst. We assume that brethren act a certain way (different than
we do) because they don’t care about God’s word or they haven’t given much
thought to what they do. While such is sometimes true, it is NOT always the
case. We focus in on our differences and are quick to judge one another –
rather than stepping back and realizing that they are here because they love God
just like you and share that hope of heaven with you and me. They have chosen
THIS work because they believe it is the right one and their BEST hope of being
strengthened IN their hope.
If we have differences, the only way they are going to be resolved is if we come
to one another with the belief that they DO love God as much as you do and want
to be right.
Remember, the book of Romans was written to a divided congregation (Jews vs.
Gentiles) and Paul is saying, “You have the same hope” – REJOICE in it!
II. Patient in Tribulation
a. The word tribulation actually means, “to crush, press, compress, squeeze” (WS Dictionary), the idea being to exert pressure – in this case against Christians. It comes in the form of persecutions, afflictions, troubles, burdens, hardships, etc. It describes one who is suffering physically or being pressured in some way because he/she is a Christian OR it could the troubles we all face in life (sickness, death, accidents, etc.). Considering the times, I believe Paul is primarily concerned with the first.
b.
If you have studied your Bible and understand
Christianity (or lived it for some length of time) you know that Christians are
going to pay a price for serving God, in the form of tribulations.
Jesus warned, John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of
good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
1 Thess. 1:6 – they became followers “having received the word in much
affliction”
2 Timothy 3:12 – all who desire to live godly WILL suffer persecutions
(different word)
1 Peter 4:12-16 – one of Peter’s great themes was a willingness to suffer for
Christ and to even expect such.
c.
In tribulation we are to be patient
The word for patient here means, “to remain under” (WS Dictionary) with the idea
of perseverance, endurance, or holding fast. Another way of saying this is to
stand your ground – 1 Corinthians 15:58 – be steadfast, immovable…
Paul told Timothy he needed to endure hardships – 2 Timothy 2:3 – even as a
soldier
Enduring hardships requires us to be patient (in the usual sense of the word)
and it is sure to produce patience - Rom 5:3-4 – notice how tribulation produces
patience which produces hope
James 1:2-3 – the testing of your faith produces patience
Matthew 10:22 – He who endures to the end will be saved
NOTE: Lest we get the wrong idea, we should not go out looking for
tribulations. I have heard some say they wanted to be persecuted. While such
might be noble and perhaps presented with a pure heart, I do not believe we
should go out looking for trouble. We will get enough of it with complicating
matters.
THAT having been said, how many are there who in order to avoid tribulations,
refuse to stand up for God and Jesus? Such are failing to fulfill the commands
of this text.
d.
Sometimes churches face tribulations – 2
Thessalonians 1:4
Revelation 2:9-10 – the church at Smyrna faces “tribulations”
Even in this, we must “be patient”
III. Steadfast in Prayers
a. How often do you pray? Is it enough? Prayer is an often neglected command in our lives. There are some that the only time they pray is when there is distress (tribulation) in their lives. But we need to be praying at all times. Time and again it has been noted that the most godly examples we find in scripture were persons who prayed often to God.
b.
Prayer is how we communicate with God. The word
used here is one that means to petition God for His help. And very likely what
Paul has specifically in mind is that we do pray in those difficult times.
James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray”
It goes without saying that our prayers need to be “according to His will” 1
John 5:14-15
c.
We need to be “steadfast” in our prayers.
As used here the word means that prayer is something we are busily engaged in or
devoted to.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “pray without ceasing”. Notice how it is associated
with “rejoice always”
Colossians 4:2 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving”
d.
We need to be praying for each other as brethren.
If you are having a problem with your brethren, HAVE YOU PRAYED ABOUT IT? If
your brethren are facing problems have you prayed for them? How often do you
pray for the church?
Ephesians 6:18 – praying “for all the saints”
Philippians 1:4 – Paul continually prayed for his brethren
Prayer was certainly a part of the equation in the brethren at Rome overcoming
their differences.
Thus we can see some things about the attitude we need as brethren toward God and our brethren. In our next lesson we will continue our study of this important text. Do these things apply to you?