A Study on Love: Part XLIX

Romans 12:3-21
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 measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

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

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

-There is a job for me to do. I mean, everybody has a gift. Some people can speak different languages. Others have a gift to be able to organize things. Others have a gift of being an entertainer. And still others have artistic ability. My gift is in entertaining and with artistic ability. Some people have the ability to be able to speak well. I am not terribly sure I fall into that catagory. Others have an ability to lead a group. Others have an ability to encourage people. And I think everyone has a gift to encourage others. It is there, you just have to tap into it. And maybe all of these gifts are there, they just need to be tapped into in a better, more effective way. And using these gifts, it is an expression of love. And expressing that love, it has to be sincere. Expressing love has to have humility to it, because if it doesn't, it's pretty worthless. And by worthless, I mean not effective. Telling someone I love you and doing nothing to express that love really falls short. Telling someone I love you and doing something, whether it be giving a gift, serving that person, or whatever, and having a great heart about it, that speaks volumes of that love. Johnny Out.