The Specifics of Love - Romans 12

1. A Prayer for the People of God
On this day of rejoicing, O God of our ancestors,
as we gather to break the bread,
we remember that through the
blood of the Lamb you redeemed us
and made us pass over from death to new life.
Grant that, as we celebrate your mighty deeds,
we may be one with Jesus
in offering you this sacrifice of praise.
Amen

2. Romans 12:9-21
The SPECIFICS of LOVINGOthers

3. Diversity shaped every moment of the
Roman house churches, but Paul sought
for a unity in the diversity, a sibling
relationship in Christ that both
transcended and affirmed one’s
ethnicity, gender, and status…
SCOT McKNIGHT

4. …because you are in Christ, you are
not to act according to Privilege and Power
but instead to love God by
offering your entire body daily to God,
to live as siblings with all other Christians
by welcoming one another and eating
at the table with each other and indwelling
one another, and to love your Roman
neighbor as yourself with civility and
intentional acts of benevolence.
SCOT McKNIGHT

5. Love must be real. Hate what is evil; stick
fast
to what is good. Be truly affectionate in
showing love for one another; compete with
each other in giving mutual respect. Don’t
get
tired of working hard. Be on fire with the
spirit. Work as slaves for the Lord. Celebrate
your hope; be patient in suffering; give
constant energy to prayer; contribute to the
ROMANS 12:9-13 (KNT)

6. Bless those who persecute you; bless them,
don’t curse them. Celebrate with those who
are celebrating; mourn with the mourners.
Come to the same mind with one another.
Don’t give yourselves airs, but associate with
the humble. Don’t get too clever for
yourselves.
Never repay anyone evil for evil; think
through what will seem good to everyone
who is watching. If it’s possible, as far as you
ROMANS 12:14-18 (KNT)

8. I am still committed to militant, powerful,
massive, non-violence as the most potent
weapon in grappling with the problem from
a direct action point of view. I'm absolutely
convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears
of the white community while relieving the guilt.
And I feel that we must always work with an
effective, powerful weapon and method that
brings about tangible results. But it is not enough
for me to stand before you tonight and condemn
riots.
MLK jr. (1968)

9. It would be morally irresponsible for me
to do that without, at the same time,
condemning the contingent, intolerable
conditions that exist in our society.
These conditions are the things that cause
individuals to feel that they have no other
alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to
get attention. And I must
say tonight that a riot is the language
of the unheard. And what is it America
has failed to hear?
MLK jr. (1968)

10. It has failed to hear that the plight
of the negro poor has worsened
over the last twelve or fifteen years.
It has failed to hear that the promises
of freedom and justice have not been met.And it
has failed to hear that large segments of white
society are more concerned
about tranquility and the status quo
than about justice and humanity.
MLK jr. (1968)

11. Don’t take revenge, my dear people,
but allow God’s anger room to work.
The Bible says, after all, “Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, says the Lord.” No: “If your
enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him
a drink. If you do this, you will pile up
burning coals on his head.” Don’t let evil
conquer you. Rather, conquer evil with good.
ROMANS 12:19-21 (KNT)

12. The zealotry temptation ofTheWeak
is why Paul appeals to the strategy of
non-vengeance as the Christoform
way of life…Some of these believers
know the way of violence and retaliation;
they have seen it work for liberation
in the days of the Macabees. But Paul
knows the way of the cross: …peacemaking,
and loving
one’s enemies into neighbors.
SCOT McKNIGHT

13. 1. What will practical love look like
between now & November?
• If you’re “progressive”…?
• If you’re “conservative”…?
2. What will it look like in November
to “live at peace” with those who
disagree with you, in person/online?
3. Are you willing to embrace Jesus and
Paul’s challenge to love/bless your sibling
in Christ who you see as enemy?
SOME REFLECTION QUESTIONS

15. Closing Prayer
Faithful God,
you are the hope of all the oppressed,
and the source of freedom for those held captive.
Make us strong to witness to your liberating
power, in generosity of life and in humility
of spirit, that all the world may delight
in your goodness.
Amen.