Issue No.

10 Winter 2009/10
Introduction
Phil Lumpkin
Dont think too highly of yourself
Graig Fancher
Let love be without hypocrisy
Carol Fertig
Abhor what is evil
Steven Baxley
Be devoted to one another
In love
Aaron Lumpkin
Contribute to the needs of
the saints
Phil Lumpkin
Bless those who persecute you
Craig Sweet
Rejoice with those who rejoice
Russ Ward
Never payback evil for evil
Jonathan Rodriguez

North Beach church of Christ

7025 N. Beach St, Ft Worth, TX
www.nbcoc.org
Praise the Lord - He has devised a plan and paid the price
for our salvation. Paul summed this up to the Ephesians by
saying, Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He
chose us in Him before the
foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons
through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the kind intention
of His will, to the praise of the
glory of His grace, which He
freely bestowed on us in the
Beloved. Eph 1:3-6 In Romans 12 Paul addresses the obligation we have as recipients of Gods mercy and grace.
Following the Apostle Pauls doctrinal arguments that
all mankind is saved by grace through faith in chapters 111, he turned to the practical application of that faith. In
12:1-2 he wrote I urge you therefore, brethren, by the
(Continued on page 2)

sacrifice had to please or appease and thus

mercies of God, to present your bodies a
had to meet certain requirements.
living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual service of worship.
The sacrifice Paul urged differed from
And do not be conformed to this world, but
their past experience of presenting animals,
be transformed by the renewing of your
first fruits, etc. Paul here urged them to premind, that you may prove what the will of
sent a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice is
God is, that which is good and acceptable
not some dead carcass to be cut up and laid
and perfect. Bishop Hall once noted that,
on an altar, it is a life our life which is to
Doctrine without exhortation makes men
be continually dedicated and devoted to
all brain, no heart; exhortation without docGod. Its been said that the problem with
trine makes the heart full, but leaves the
living sacrifices is that they tend to crawl off
brain empty. Both together make a man,
the altar. Yet our bodies are to be as wholly
one makes a wise man, the
the Lord's property as the burntother a good; one serves that we
offering was, no part being demay know our duty, the other
voted to any other use. Our livThe problem with ing sacrifice is also to be holy and
that we may perform it. Men
cannot practice unless they living sacrifices is that acceptable to God. Just as a
know, and they know in vain if
they tend to crawl off blemished, animal sacrifice was
they practice not." James wrote,
an abomination to God (Mal 1:7the altar.
faith without works is useless.
10), we too can bring unholy ofJas 2:20b Doctrine must be put
ferings to God which are unacinto practice to bring about a
ceptable. Jesus said, Many will
change our lives.
say to Me on that day, 'Lord,
Lord,
did
we
not prophesy in Your name, and
Since God has done His part in our salvain Your name cast out demons, and in Your
tion, what is our obligation? Paul begins by
name perform many miracles? And then I will
talking about sacrifice, which has always
declare to them, I never knew you; depart
been the centerpiece of religious service.
from Me, you who practice lawlessness. Mt
Jewish Christians were intimately familiar
7:22-23 What we may deem proper is not
with the sacrifices required under the old
necessarily what God considers holy and aclaw. Similarly, Gentile Christians also knew of
ceptable. God wants us, our hearts, our inthese rituals from their idolatrous backtellect in full devotion and obedience to Him.
grounds. Remember the contest between
This is our spiritual service of worship. This
Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel
sacrifice, this wholehearted devotion of our
(1 Kg 18)? Both the prophets of God and of
spirits is actually the only sacrifice we can
the idol presented their animal sacrifices. So
offer that is commensurate with Gods great
when Paul urged them (and us) to present
grace and mercy with which He has loved us.
your bodies a living sacrifice, they knew exAnything less would be unreasonable. God
actly what he meant. They knew the sacrifice
(Continued on page 3)
would cost them something. They knew the
Page 2

is spirit, and those who worship Him must

worship in spirit and truth. Jn 4:24
God not only desires us as a living sacrifice, He also wants this devotion to be evident in transformed lives. In Jesus prayer for
His disciples he said, I do not ask Thee to
take them out of the world, but to keep them
from the evil one. They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. Jn 17:15-16
John also wrote, Do not love the world, nor
the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1
Jn 2:15 We obviously live in a world where
godliness, righteousness and holiness are not
universally practiced or even respected. But
God calls His children to conform to a higher,
more noble standard. In His sermon on the
mount, Jesus said, You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt has become tasteless,
how will it be made salty again? You are the
light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot
be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put
it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the
house. Let your light shine before men in such
a way that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Mt
5:13-16
We are to be transformed, which is translated from the Greek word metamorphoo.
We are familiar with this word in its English
form metamorphosis. We marvel at how a
homely larvae encapsulates itself and eventually emerges as a beautiful butterfly. In a
similar fashion, we are to metamorphoo into
beautiful, butterfly-like, children of God who
let our lights shine and bring glory to our Father. By allowing His righteousness to rule in
our lives we prove the veracity of the Lords

will. We demonstrate to the world the better way, that which is good, acceptable and
perfect.
The articles in this issue examine Pauls
practical guidance in Romans chapter 12
about how to transform our lives.

Dont think too

highly of yourself
Graig Fancher
Jorge Luis Borges once wrote, the image
of the Lord *has+ been replaced by a mirror.
In American society we are programmed
from a young age to be confident in ourselves almost to the point of arrogance, to
scratch and claw our way to the top of the
corporate ladder even if that means stepping
on others to get there, and to try and accumulate wealth, power, trophies, and other
accolades that will prove to others we are
successful and someone to admire. Despite
this cultural backdrop, these are not values
that the Lord admires or wishes for His people to exemplify. Paul states in Romans 12:3,
For through the grace given to me I say to
everyone of you not to think more highly of
himself than he ought to think; but to think
so as to have sound judgment, as God has
allotted to each a measure of faith. While a
simple command, it is one that we struggle
with. What we must ultimately understand is
that regardless of our position in life and the
individual talents we have been blessed with,
(Continued on page 4)

Page 3

we, who are many, are one body in Christ.

Jehoshaphat went out before his army and
Rom 12:5 In other words, while God has
said, Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingblessed us with gifts that differ (Romans
kindness is everlasting (2 Chron 20:21).
12:6), we must use those gifts not to seek
In stark contrast to King Jehoshaphat, King
individual recognition, but to exalt and gloDavids arrogance and lack of humility in 2
rify God as a unified body of Christ.
Samuel 11 is truly astonishing. Verse one
When discussing humility, I am reminded
states, Then it happened in the spring, at the
of several biblical examples for
time when kings go out to battle,
us to determine what Romans
that David sent Joab and his ser12:3 means for us. On one
vants with him and all Israel, and
Pride goes before
hand, King Jehoshaphat can be
they destroyed the sons of Ammon
destruction and a
looked to as an example of
and besieged Rabbah. But David
humbling oneself before God haughty spirit before stayed at Jerusalem. It was time
and giving Him the glory. On
for David, as king, to go to battle;
stumbling.
the other hand, Kind David
however, David stayed home and
shows us what can happen
Pro 16:18
sent Joab. God had blessed David
when we replace the image of
and made him king, yet David did
not exercise this authority accordthe Lord with that of our own.
ingly and stayed home when he should have
The invasion of Judah by the Ammonites,
been in battle. The rest of the story is familMoabites, etc. during Jehoshaphats reign in
iar. Because David was home instead of do2 Chronicles 20 shows how God is in control
ing Gods will, he saw Bathsheba. Instead of
and should be given all credit and glory. Jeending his adulterous pursuit upon learning
hoshaphat had gathered over one million
that she is married, he sleeps with her and
soldiers and had already been victorious in
impregnates her. To cover up his indiscrebattle. He had every reason to be confident
tion, he has Bathshebas husband, Uriah,
in himself and his kingdom; however, when
killed.
reports came that a great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea (2
What is interesting is that with this story
Chron 20:2-12) Jehoshaphat was afraid and
of arrogance by David comes a story of huturned his attention to seek the Lord. In
mility by Uriah. When called from the field of
verses 5-12, Jehoshaphat called on the Lord
battle, David tells Uriah to go down to your
to protect his people, recognizing that power
house, and wash your feet. 2 Sam 11: 8 A
and might were in the Lords hands. When
present from the king was sent out after
the Lord delivered Judah from the invading
Uriah, and it was understood that David
force by literally turning themselves against
wanted Uriah and Bathsheba to enjoy their
one another, Jehoshaphat called on his peoevening together. Uriah instead slept at the
ple not to give him the credit and did not use
door of the kings house. When David asked
the victory as some form of political capital
(Continued on page 5)
to further his own personal agenda. Instead,

Page 4

why, Uriah explained the ark and Israel and

pend on anything in man; therefore, let him
Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and
who boasts, boast in the Lord. In 1 Peter
my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are
5:5, Peter writes for all to clothe yourselves
camping in the open field. Shall I then go to
with humility toward one another, for God is
my house to eat and to drink and to lie with
opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the
my wife? By your life and the life of your soul,
humble. Also remember the example Christ
I will not do this thing. 2 Sam 11:11 This is
gave us in John 13. After washing the feet of
the example of humility we should follow.
his disciples, Christ said to them, If I then,
the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet,
Do not think that David is the only biblical
you also ought to wash one anothers feet.
example of mankind replacing the image of
For I gave you an example that you also
the Lord with their own. In Genesis 11:4-9,
should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to
the people of the world gathyou, a slave is not greater than his
ered to build a city and a tower
master, nor is one who is sent
that would reach into heaven.
greater than the one who sent
The Lord, seeing the city and
Everyone who is
him. Jn 13:14-16
tower, saw that mans rebellion
proud in heart is an
against God would continue to
Romans 12:3-8 explains that we
the exclusion of the kingdom of abomination to the
have all been blessed with gifts in
God. The Lord confused their
our lives. Some are blessed with
Lord
language and scattered the
the ability and conviction to serve
Pro 16:5
people, showing that even the
others; some are blessed with the
greatest of human powers canability to teach thoughtful and
not defy God and long survive.
meaningful lessons; and others are
blessed
with
beautiful voices to sing Gods
A final example is that of King Herod
praises. While the gift to teach may garner
in Acts 12:20-25. While giving an address to
more attention from the congregation than
the people during a celebration, the people
the conviction to work behind the scenes in
continued to call out that Herod was a god,
cleaning the building, driving members to
saying the voice of a god and not of a man!
worship service, or even making copies for
Herod never corrected them, and because
classes when asked, this does not mean one
he did not give God the glory, he was eaten
is better than the other. We cannot be a
by worms and died. It is hard to find a
body of just song leaders or just bible class
clearer example of the consequences we
teachers. Instead, we must be a body commay face by replacing the Lords image with
prised of several parts that make a whole.
that of our own.
God has blessed each of us with gifts, He has
The Lord values humility and demands
commanded us to use them accordingly, and
that we give Him all the respect, glory, and
He has commanded us to remember that
honor that He is due. In 1 Corinthians 1:26these gifts are from Him and to only boast in
31 Paul writes that salvation does not deHim.

Page 5

Let love be
without hypocrisy
Carol Fertig
Love is so basic in Christian doctrine that
Paul does not even urge his readers to love
each other as he had in other letters. When
Paul begins to give a short paradigm for living
as a sacrifice to God, he lists love first. It is
not that he has to reiterate that we must
love. That is already abundantly clear from
the admonitions of Jesus in the Sermon on
the Mount and had been taught over and
over by the apostles. It is a given that love is
what the Christian does; it is who a Christian
is one who loves. The admonition is to let
love be without hypocrisy (NAS) or genuine
(ESV). It is the character of the love we give
as our living sacrifice that is encouraged in
this first of the proverb-like sayings.
The love practiced by Christians must be
deep and unfeigned. It must be a living
thing. Paul prayed that the Philippians love
may abound yet more and more. Phil 1:9
This is more than just tender feelings; it is an
all-consuming motivation for life and action.
Listen as Jesus tells the lawyer in Luke 10:27:
. . . You shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all
your strength and with all your mind, and
your neighbor as yourself. Everything we
do is to be wrapped up in love; there is absolutely no room left for self interest, artificial
motivation, deceitful practices. This is the
kind of love Jesus instructed His disciples to
have when he told them to . . . love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are

to love one another. Jn 13:34 We know

what kind of love Jesus has for us, that He
would sacrifice Himself for us. He had just
taught His disciples the beautiful lesson of
serving each other by washing their feet. It
is the quality of our love for each other that
identifies us as Jesus followers. After He
told the disciples to love one another as He
loved them, He went on to say that this love
is what would identify them (and us) as His
followers: By this all people will know that
you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another. Jn 13:35 It is obvious that the love
of Jesus comes from a pure heart, so ours
must also. Paul told Timothy, But the goal
of our instruction is love from a pure heart
and a good conscience and a sincere faith. I
Tim 1:5 Our basis of love must be genuine,
not mixed with hypocrisy.
Jesus reserved His harshest condemnation for hypocrites. Consider all the woes
He pronounced upon the Pharisees, calling
them hypocrites in Matthew 23:13-29. You
can feel the disgust for these people when
you read His words there. To have an appearance of some good thing or feeling without the genuine impulse in the heart was
anathema to Him. It is no wonder that Paul
tells us not to temper our love with hypocrisy! Mock love may fool those around us,
but God reads hearts and knows our true
feelings and motives. He told Solomon, "As
for you, my son Solomon, know the God of
your father, and serve Him with a whole
heart and a willing mind; for the LORD
searches all hearts, and understands every
intent of the thoughts. and He who searches
the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit
(Continued on page 7)

Page 6

is. I Chron 28:9 Peter tells us Since you

just as well. His supposed affection for David
have in obedience to the truth purified your
was just a ruse to get rid of him.
souls for a sincere love of the brethren, ferIronically, genuine love from a pure heart
vently love one another from the heart. I Pet
was given to David from Sauls son Jonathan.
1:22
While Saul was trying to kill David, Jonathan
David experienced love both genuine and
delighted much in David. I Sam 19:1 Jonadeceitful in his life before he became king.
than spoke on Davids behalf and brokered a
When David was still very young, Saul was a
temporary reprieve for David. It was after
king who suffered torment from some sort of
this, though, that Saul attempted the second
harmful spirit. His servants knew of David
time to pin David with the spear. Jonathan
and told Saul of his skill in playing the lyre.
again stood up for David and offered to find
Saul sent for David who then entered his serout whether David had anything to fear from
vice as his armor-bearer beSaul. They devised a plan in which
cause he had found favor in
Jonathan would discover whether or
the sight of Saul. David was
not it was safe for David to stay
able to soothe Saul when he
Little children, let us near Saul and would warn David to
was troubled, and I Samuel not love with word or flee if it were not safe. When it
16:21 says that Saul loved him
with tongue, but in became obvious that Sauls intent
greatly. This love was not so
was only to kill David, Jonathan let
deed and truth.
deep, however, that it preDavid know that he would have to
1 Jn 3:18
vented Saul from later atleave. The Bible says of Jonathans
tempting twice to pin David to
love for David: And Jonathan
the wall with a spear because
made a covenant with the house of
he was jealous of the peoples
David, saying, May the Lord take
love for David! It seems that Sauls love was
vengeance on Davids enemies. And Jonastrong when David was of use to him, but
than made David swear again by his love for
non-existent when David became a threat to
him, for he loved him as he loved his own
Sauls self-esteem. Jealousy can turn love
soul. I Sam 20:16-17 Jonathan knew how to
into hate if the love is not pure and genuine.
fulfill the royal law of love, loving his
It would seem that inviting someone to be
neighbor as himself. There is a very affecting
your son-in-law would be a mark of esteem,
scene when the two men realize that they
but doing this was a hypocritical move on
would have to part. . . . . David rose from
Sauls part to do away with David. He asked
beside the stone heap and fell on his face to
of David only that he fight the Lords battles
the ground and bowed three times. And they
in order to be married to his daughter
kissed one another and wept with one anMerab, but Sauls plan was that the Philisother, David weeping the most. Then Jonatines should do away with David for him.
than said to David, Go in peace, because we
(Continued on page 8)
David, of course, wound up with Michal instead of Merab, but it suited Sauls purpose
Page 7

have sworn both of us in the name of the

Lord, saying, The Lord shall be between me
and you, and between my offspring and your
offspring, forever. And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. I
Sam 20:41-42 Jonathan understood that in
the custom and practice of primogeniture he
would have held Sauls throne, but he also
understood that David was Gods anointed
one, and he loved David with a pure heart.
I Corinthians 13 gives a picture of what
genuine love is like. Practical application of
the principles there will help us to achieve
the kind of love that Paul tells the Romans
(and us) to have.

Abhor what is evil,

Cling to what is good
Steven D. Baxley
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is
good. Rom 12:9 Do not be overcome
by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rom 12:21
The theme of this issue is presenting our
bodies as living and holy sacrifices. This can
never be accomplished without having a
proper understanding of our relationship to
evil and wickedness. Thus Paul mentions
twice in Romans 12 the importance of relating to evil in the proper way. These ideas are
mentioned in verses 9 and 21. There are two
primary ideas that Paul expresses in these
two verses: the need to abhor evil, and the

need to not be overcome by evil.

The word abhor found in 12:9 is translated from the Greek word apostugeo. This
word is found only here in the New Testament, and is a very strong word. Various
lexicons define it as to detest utterly (Strongs); to hate, abhor, detest with
horror (Complete Word Study Dictionary,
New Testament); hate, abhor; of evil hate
utterly, shrink away from (Analytical Lexicon
of the New Testament). It is certainly no
accident that Paul, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, chose this particular Greek word to
express the proper attitude of Christians towards evil.
Our society has become one where evil is
anything but abhorred. Evil is glorified in
some cases in the interest of freedom or
choice. In other cases, evil is tolerated in
the interest of not rocking the boat or offending others. Rarely is it acknowledged for
what it is: EVIL. Christians need to be extremely careful not to allow the worlds
thinking to influence their thinking concerning evil.
In contrast to how the world often views
evil, Christians should detest with horror
and shrink away from it. They should do
everything in their power to recognize evil
for what it is, and do everything they can to
avoid it. Certainly, they should not be involved in making evil seem less wicked than
it is. Consider the following verses:
Woe to those who call evil good and
good evil, who put darkness for light and
light for darkness, who put bitter for
(Continued on page 9)

Page 8

again, Gods methods stand in stark contrast

sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isa 5:20)
with societys methods. Society generally
Take no part in the unfruitful works of
follows the philosophies of doing to others
darkness, but instead expose them. (Eph
before they do to you, and nice guys finish
5:11)
last, since human beings generally view evil
Obviously, mankind has a long history of
as stronger than good. These principles,
trying to minimize the true nature of wickedhowever, are completely incompatible with
ness. Isaiah wrote his book well over 2500
the standard that Christ sets for His followyears ago. His message, however, is as fresh
ers. Good is stronger than evil. Good will
and relevant today as it was then. Paul, in
triumph over evil. This will certainly be true
writing to the Ephesian Christians, felt it necon the Day of Judgment, but it is also true in
essary to emphasize the need for them to
the present world. In writing to the saints in
not only not take part in the works of darkPhilippi, Paul emphasizes the need to be difness, but also to show their
ferent than the world at large: Do
true character, exposing them
all things without grumbling or
under the lamp of goodness.
questioning, that you may be
Going along with the idea of Depart from evil, and blameless and innocent, children of
abhorring evil, Paul tells his do good, seek peace, God without blemish in the midst
readers that they should hold and pursue it. The eyes of a crooked and twisted generafast to what is good (12:9). It of the LORD are toward tion, among whom you shine as
is not enough to detest evil, it
the righteous.
lights in the world Phil 2:1416
is not enough to shrink away
Certainly a large part of overcomfrom it, the Christian must flee
ing evil with good involves how
in the opposite direction, toChristians react to evil that is inwards what is good, and then cling to it. The
flicted on them by others. The idea that the
Greek word translated as hold fast carries
Christian should never pay back evil for evil is
the meaning of keeping company with. In
discussed in more depth in another article in
a sense, Christians are to turn from the old
this publication. Suffice it to say here that
evil with which they had kept company, and
evil of all kinds can be overcome by the
begin to keep company with what is good.
Christian exercising righteousness in his life.
This sounds very similar to the warning conAs Christians seek to present their bodies
tained at 1 Corinthians 15:33: Do not be
as
living sacrifices, they need to remember
deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.
that
God is looking for a change in attitude, a
The Christian must hold to what is good, or
change in heart, that is demonstrated by a
risk having evil ruin the good morals he is
change in life. The Christian who abhors that
putting to effect in his life.
which is evil will fight against whatever
The second idea that Paul expresses here
in Romans 12 concerns the fight that the
(Continued on page 10)
Christian needs to wage against evil. Once
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temptation comes his way to engage in sin.

He wont engage in it, because he recognizes
that it is incompatible with his life in Christ.
Instead, that Christian will seek to fill his life
with those things that are good and holy,
both in thought and in deed. In doing so, he
will be equipped and prepared to overcome
evil with good, instead of being overcome
himself by evil.

Be devoted to one
another in love
Aaron Lumpkin

The blood of our Lord Jesus has cleansed

each of us from the sin which stained our
lives. But this isnt the only result of our
sanctification. When the Lord, by His grace,
granted us salvation we became part of a
unique fraternity, a holy nation or a people for Gods own possession as Peter describes it (1 Pet 2:9). As citizens of the eternal kingdom of God we, as brothers and sisters, have a special and permanent bond between us. Religion, on the one hand, is a
deeply personal relationship between an
individual and his Creator, but on the other
hand it also very much involves our relationship with other children of God. This has
been the case from the beginning. The second sin we read of in Scripture is that of a
brother killing another brother, provoking
the wrath of the Lord. Six of the ten commandments that Moses lists to introduce the
Law deal not with Israels relationship to the

Lord, specifically, but rather with how they

should behave toward each other. Jesus explained that the whole Law and the prophets
depended on both loving God and loving
ones neighbor (Mt 22:37-40). The inseparable connection between our love for God
and our love for our brethren is found
throughout the New Testament writings as
well. In Johns words: This is His commandment (singular, not plural), that we believe in
the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love
one another, just as He commanded us. 1 Jn
3:23 In other words, we simply cannot be
obedient to our Lords command without
practicing love toward each other.
As Paul writes to the diverse group of
saints in Rome, he spends much time describing how both Jews and Gentiles are
united by the fact that they were all guilty of
sin and yet both have been justified by
faith through Jesus Christ. The idea of these
two groups becoming one people must have
been a lot to swallow, and true union would
have undoubtedly been something that took
time and effort. In chapter 12 Paul transitions from explaining their common salvation to describing how to live out this salvation. In verse 10 he tells the Romans to be
devoted to one another in brotherlylove (NASB). Given the context of the epistle, and a closer look at Pauls choice of
words, a better understanding of what Paul
is saying here might well be cherish your
brother in faith as you would your brother in
the flesh.
The first of the three main Greek words
(Continued on page 11)

Page 10

Paul uses is philadelphia, a familiar word to

Christ to how one would regard a brother in
us. When William Penn, in 1681, bought the
the flesh. The world regards a physical
tract of land from the Lenape Indians which
brother as among the closest of bonds yet,
would one day become our countrys first
as Paul has previously pointed out in his letcapital, he named the village he established
ter, we are not to be conformed to this
Philadelphia. As a devout Quaker and stuworld and we have all been reborn to walk
dent of the bible, William Penn understood
in newness of life. The blood of Christ that
this Greek word and hoped it would describe
flowed to make us brethren is more signifithe future relationship between his fellow
cant than any physical blood that flows in
colonists and the native population. This
the veins of natural brothers. Our attitude
word philadelphia combines the two words,
and actions toward each other must reflect
phileo and adelphos. The word phileo is usuthis reality!
ally translated as love in English, and we
The most obvious example of this concept
often think of it as the love we
in action seems to be what develare to have for each other, but
oped in the first days of the
actually the word agape is overChurch. As hundreds of thouSince you have in
whelmingly used in the NT to
obedience to the truth sands of Jews flocked to Jerusadescribe our love for each
purified your souls for a lem from across the vast Roman
other. Phileo more properly
Empire for the Pentecost feast,
sincere love of the
means tender affection, or to
Peter preached the good news to
cherish or to be fond of some- brethren, fervently love the masses. The relatively few of
thing or someone. The second one another from the the multitudes that turned their
heart. 1 Pet 1:22
part of the word, adelphos,
lives to Jesus became part of the
means brother or kinsman,
body of the saved. While some
either physically or as united by
undoubtedly had to begin their
a common purpose or cause. Thus the word
journeys home, it seems that many of these
means something like devoted affection for
new saints may have stayed on in Jerusalem
a brother.
for a time as they feasted on the Apostles
The second word Paul uses is allelous
teaching and the rich fellowship between
and simply means one another. His third
the believers. As they daily ate and worchoice of words is philostorgos, using the
shipped together, this contagious atmosword phileo again (tender affection) and
phere of phileo between them seemed to
combining it with the word storgos, which
spread like wildfire. Rather than leading
means a close natural relation, or from the
separate lives, they cherished each other not
same womb. The closeness of this word in
just as brethren but as brothers, having all
meaning to philadelphia seems to be very
things in common (Acts 2:44), with the local
intentional, and the slight difference seems
saints even selling land and property to feed
(Continued on page 12)
to be his very point. Paul equates cherishing,
or showing affection toward a brother in
Page 11

those in need (presumably those saints who

had yet to return home but had exhausted
their travel funds). Its this fervent devotion
between what had become a genuine family,
coupled with the miracles of the apostles,
that seemed to amaze the people in Jerusalem at the time, drawing people in to hear
the message of salvation (Acts 2:43-47; 5:1213).
Although time and circumstances eventually scattered this group throughout the
known world, we have preserved in the book
of Acts this beautiful picture of what the
Lord intends for a group of saints to look like
(even brand new saints!). This example
seems to be what Paul is encouraging the
Romans toward in 12:10, and thus what is
expected of us today. It also seems to be
what Jesus had on His mind as He ardently
prayed that those who believe in Him may
all be one so that the world may believe
that You sent Me. Jn 17:20-21

Contribute to the
needs of the saints
Phil Lumpkin
All those who had believed were
together, and had all things in common;
and they began selling their property
and possessions, and were sharing them
with all, as anyone might have need.
Acts 2:44-45 The generosity exhibited
by the first Christians is a compelling
early example of saints seizing the op-

portunity to help fellow saints. Some of

the new converts had traveled long distances (Ac 2:9-10) to observe the Pentecost feast in Jerusalem. However, they
never dreamed theyd have front row
seats for the unfolding of Gods scheme
of redemption. Awestruck by the good
news preached by Peter and the other
apostles, it is natural that the new converts wanted to remain in Jerusalem to
continue devoting themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Ac 2:42 Thankfully there were other
new Christians from Jerusalem, with
resources at their disposal and eagerness to help those who had traveled.
Years later Paul challenged the Romans and us with several characteristics of Christian life which were to
transform us from conformity with the
world into children of light. He introduced another of these transformations
in Romans 12:13 where he urges,
contributing to the needs of the saints,
practicing hospitality. Most of us think
were tuff, but lets be honest, we all
have weaknesses, soft spots, vulnerabilities. Often these vulnerabilities are related to our pocketbook and the giving
of ourselves in other personal ways,
such as being hospitable. We may not
be overly tempted to steal, or perhaps
even to covet, yet often were down
right tight fisted with the blessings
weve received. Paul encourages us to
metamorphoo, to seek opportunities
(Continued on page 13)

Page 12

to help our brethren.

sponded to this need in an exemplary manner. Paul wrote, that in a great ordeal of
In Galatians 6:10, Paul wrote, So then,
affliction their (the Macedonians) abundance
while we have opportunity, let us do good to
of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in
all men, and especially to those who are of
the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that
the household of the faith. This guidance is
according to their ability, and beyond their
similar to what he wrote to the Romans and
ability they gave of their own accord, begspeaks to the Christians responsibility to do
ging us with much entreaty for the favor of
good and be helpful to everyone. But he
participation in the support of the saints. 2
urges us to especially extend our goodness
Cor 8:2-4 A careful reading of Agabus
to those of the household of faith, our brethprophecy indicates that the famine was
ren. This is actually putting into practice the
world wide including Macedonia. So when
love we are to have for our brethren. James
Paul commended these brethren for giving
wrote, What use is it, my brethren, if a man
liberally from their deep poverty,
says he has faith, but he has no
that was no small deed. Weve
works? Can that faith save him?
almost always got something to
If a brother or sister is without
This is pure and
share with someone in need. We
clothing and in need of daily
undefiled religion in may not be able to take care of
food, and one of you says to
them, "Go in peace, be warmed the sight of our God all a brothers need on our own,
but we can almost always help is
and be filled," and yet you do not
and Father, to visit
give them what is necessary for orphans and widows in some way.
their body, what use is that?
We generally think of needs of
Jas 2:14-17 He goes on in the their distress Jas 1:27 the saints as something physical
next verse to say, Even so faith,
like clothing, food or shelter.
if it has no works, is dead, being
While these are important, we
by itself. Jas 2:18 Both Apostles challenge
have additional needs. Paul also urged Chrisus to put our doctrine into practice by helptians to practice hospitality. We undering our brethren.
stand the need for social contact; God created us as social beings. And He provides
The saints in Macedonia (Thessalonica,
many wholesome ways to help satisfy this
Philippi, etc) were commended by Paul as
need, such as our families, our friends, our
good examples of brethren contributing to
relationship with Him through Christ Jesus,
the needs of the saints. The prophet Agaand also our brethren, our spiritual family.
bus had foretold a great famine and ChrisDeveloping and cultivating our brotherly retians responded with assistance. Luke relationships is putting love of the brethren
corded, And in the proportion that any of
into action. We all need love and affection
the disciples had means, each of them deterand we have a responsibility to give, as well
mined to send a contribution for the relief of
(Continued on page 14)
the brethren living in Judea. Ac 11:29 It
seems that the disciples of Macedonia rePage 13

as receive it. The Apostle Peter makes this

same association of love in action with hospitality, Above all, keep fervent in your love
for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another
without complaint. 1 Pet 4:8-9 Hospitality
encompasses several ideas, but they all revolve around taking others into our confidence, into our hearts. Hospitality carries
with it the concept of breaking down barriers
between us and facilitating person to person
contact with all the brethren. This happens
in no better setting than our own homes,
and often around a common meal eaten together. This responsibility of hospitality is so
vital that it is mentioned by both Timothy (1
Tim 3:2) and Titus (Tit 1:8) as a necessary
qualification for elders and for widows
whom the church may support (1 Tim 5:10).
Sometimes in the church, the need arises
to discipline a member and we use the expression of withdrawing fellowship. While
this action may be necessary to save someones soul, it is only viable when we actually
have a relationship with our brother. Remember also that we are to do good unto all
men and that includes entertaining strangers. Hebrews 13:1-2 reads, Let love of the
brethren continue. Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by this some
have entertained angels without knowing it.
Once again note the connection between
love in action and hospitality.
Contributing to the needs of the saints is
mutually beneficial. It is a vital part of presenting our bodies a holy and living sacrifice
acceptable to God. And doing so proves the
wisdom of Gods will, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect.

Bless those who

persecute you
Craig Sweet

Rom 12:14 - Bless those who persecute

you; bless and do not curse.
Compared to bible times, modern day
persecution is minor. However, it is still
common. We are punished or shunned because of our belief or because of our opposition to sin. Why does the world hate us?
Why do we continue to be persecuted for
our stance in opposing sin? The schools tell
us that we cannot pray. Those who are pro
abortion say it is their body and their choice
and has nothing to do with God and sin. Homosexuals will tell us that we must accept
their alternative lifestyle and if we dont
then we are not Christians. Those who are
living in adultery say, God wants me to be
happy so why cant I do what I want? People can paint sin any way they want in order
to feel better, but it is still sin and as long as
we are opposed to sin, we are going to be
persecuted for our Christian beliefs and/or
behavior. We are hated because we try to
do that which is right. Most people know
right from wrong and for whatever reason,
choose to do what they want to do. When
we choose to do what is right, we are showing them that their choices are wrong. So
they persecute us to make themselves feel
better. This is not new. Christians were persecuted in the first century too. In Rom
12:14, Paul addresses what our reactions
(Continued on page 15)

Page 14

should be to persecution.
There is another aspect of bless those
who persecute you that can be inferred.
Jesus tells us in Matt 5:10 that Blessed
What if someone hurts or persecutes someare those who have been persecuted for the
one you love or care about? How is a parent
sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingto react to someone who hurts their child?
dom of heaven. If we are doing what we
How does a husband or wife react to someshould be doing by leading our lives after
one who hurts their spouse? Do we take this
Christ, then we will be persecuted for it.
personally? Sure we do. When someone we
However, Paul (Rom 12:14) is referring to
are close to is treated poorly or sinfully, the
our reaction when we are persecuted; not
first instinct is to protect. We want to dewhen/if we are persecuted. Bless those
fend the one we love. This is where blessing
who persecute you. What a challenge! The
the one who persecutes even gets harder.
natural reaction is to lash out at those who
The protective instinct makes us want the
hurt us. It is not easy to stop and think, I
other person to suffer for the pain
should bless them. The most
they have caused our loved one.
difficult response is to think
about good things for those who Not returning evil Which is easier; to bless someone
who hurts us or to bless someone
have hurt us. But, that is exactly
for
evil,
or
insult
who has hurt someone close to
what Paul is telling us we must
for insult, but
us? We experience more control
do.
giving a blessing when something happens to us.
In addition, Paul reemphasizes
When someone close to us is
this blessing by showing another
instead.
hurt, it is different. We want to
aspect of this blessing; that we
1 Pet 3:9a
take that hurt away and bear it
bless and do not curse. Often we
ourselves. This could make us
might not take revenge because we
want for the person doing the
justify in our mind that God will
hurting to suffer even more. Whether direct
punish them (Rom 12:19). Paul tells us to
or indirect persecution, Paul is commanding
bless and not wish ill upon the person who is
us to bless and not curse.
persecuting us. This includes the thought
If we are to bless, what are some of the
that God will punish someone. We should
ways that we can bless? First and probably
be looking at their soul and not what punishthe easiest is to pray for the other individual.
ment they deserve. God does not want anyWe should not pray that they suffer, but
one to perish but all to come to repentance
pray that they will understand their actions
(2 Pet 3:9). We should want that too. We
and repent from them. We should pray that
should want to show that Christ is in us no
Christ can dwell in them in order from them
matter what happens so that others will see
to see what we have and why we are at
that in us and know that we are Christians.
peace within our souls. We should pray that
Is it possible to show hatred to another per(Continued on page 16)
son and still claim to be Christ like? John tells
us if we show hatred we are a liar (1 Jn 4:20).
Page 15

Christ can soften their heart.

Next, we can forgive them. Jesus, as he
was hanging on the cross, cried out, Father,
forgive them; for they do not know what they
are doing." Lu 23:34 If anyone had the reason or the capability for revenge in what was
happening to him, Jesus had the cause.
However, he did not want ill things to happen to them. He wanted them to be forgiven. The consequences of not forgiving are
also given by Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15, For
if you forgive others for their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, then your
Father will not forgive your transgressions.
If we do not forgive others, we will not be
forgiven either.
Finally, we can continue to conduct ourselves as Christians regardless of what anyone says or does to us. The result is that we
can bring or win those who persecute us to
Jesus by our actions. Our faith must be so
strong that no one can take it from us. If the
world can make us change the way we act by
persecution, then Satan has won. Can the
world see that we are Christians by the way
we act? In a court of law, if you were being
tried as a Christian, would there be enough
evidence to convict you? If not, we need to
test ourselves to see if we are really in the
faith (2 Cor 13:5).
We need to stop and consider the other
persons soul when they hurt us, pray for
them, forgive them and continue on our journey. We are all running the Christian race
and need to remember that living as a Christian is not a short sprint, but a marathon
where it takes all we have to finish the race.

Rejoice with those

who rejoice
Russ Ward
A Smith & Jones Heart
Smith and Jones had known each other
for years and in fact had lived and farmed
right beside each other for nigh onto 40
years. Their wives had been best friends and
their children followed in like manner with
two of them marrying each other. They attended worship services together, served as
Deacons together and later served as Elders
together. When Smith broke his leg one year
in the Spring Jones plowed and planted his
crops. When Jones came down with pneumonia three years later Smith harvested
Joness crop before he harvested his own.
When Smiths oldest son won the grand
prize steer at the county fair Jones was responsible for rounding up additional businesses to contribute to the prize money and
when Joness daughter graduated from nursing school the Smiths were there to watch
the commencement. Holidays would find the
families together at one or the others house
with children and grandchildren running
around every where. If the Smiths had a
party the Joness would be there and if the
Joness threw a shindig youd be hard
pressed to keep any one of the Smith family
away. That was the way it was today. The
Smiths and the Joness were together, a
whole heaping portion of them and as would
be expected there was a spread set out on
(Continued on page 17)

Page 16

the tables, a feast fit for a king. There were

and Smith quietly turned his head and said,
children running around, and there was
Thank you old friend
laughter, but not as much, no most of it was
When we consider Pauls conveyance to
forced in an effort to try and bear through
the Romans regarding the Christian transforthe physical hurt that the death of Smiths
mation of life this old story epitomizes the
wife had brought to this group. The funeral
thoughts found in Romans 12:15. Rejoice
was past, the tender words put forth were
with those who rejoice and weep with those
gratefully received, and the comfort of no
who weep. Solomon expressed that in life
tears or pain, of hope and peace still rethere is a time for everything. A time to
mained in the hearts of all. Smith had been
weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn
receiving words of condolences all day and in
and a time to dance Eccl 3: 1-7 How is the
the days preceding the funeral and now as
Christian in a practical sense to be different
the day closed the weight of loss was heavy
from the world with regard to that which is
upon him. He quietly left the gathering maknaturally found in mankind in general? Do
ing his way onto the porch swing where he
not all people rejoice and mourn in some
and his wife had spent many an evening
form or fashion?
watching the days of their lives together
As we come to a fuller understanding of
close. Jones saw him leave and quietly went
the nature of God this one aspect should be
out and joined him. No words, no hugs, no
glaringly obvious, with God it is all
touches to the arm or shoulder
about relationships. Found in
he just sat quietly next to him.
these relationships is the transOne of Smiths daughters saw A time to weep and a
formation God is expecting of his
them and after a while and time to laugh; a time to
people. The world teaches us to
came out to inquire if all was
consider ourselves over the needs
mourn
and
a
time
to
well. Jones lifted a worn and
of others. The concept of Its all
dance Eccl 3
weathered hand to stop her
about me and mine has been
speech and with the other quiand will always be separate from
etly placed a finger on his lips.
God. To the Christian setting aside oneself
She sat down on the grass and said nothing.
for service to God and for the benefit of othOne by one the family began to gather
ers makes us completely different than the
around sitting down on the porch and yard
world.
all looking towards the sun setting in the
Christ in his teachings continually put
West, each one receiving the same sign that
forth
this message. Loving thy neighbor as
was first given, the upheld hand for quiet and
thyself
Mk 12:38, Loving your enemies Mt
the brush of the finger against the lips. When
5:43-48, Return of the Prodigal Son Lk
the sun had finally pasted the horizon they
16:20-24. The Jews rejected Christ yet his
began to quietly wander back into the house.
heart ached for them. Mt 23:37 Jesus wept
As darkness began to enclose the two old
men, sitting now alone, Jones got up to leave
Page 17

when Mary spoke to him concerning the

death of her brother Lazarus. Jn 11:33-36
What comes to mind when we consider
Lukes recounting of Tabitha and of the
brethrens reaction to, not only her death,
but the life she lived. Acts 9:32-43 All of
these examples and many others reveal the
lives we should lead.
If I am to walk as God would have me to
do, I must mature and develop in the relationship I have with God. I must live, see, do
and be as he is in his very nature.
In so doing why would I not as a child of
God pursue a heart of insight that would allow me to cultivate my awareness of those
around me who are continually engaged in
both times of rejoicing and mourning. As my
eyes are opened to the lives of others so also
will my heart be opened to respond in like
manner. As with Smith and Jones it is not a
matter of what we say rather it is simply
what we do and being able to do it in just the
right way.

Never payback
evil for evil
Jonathan Rodriguez

Romans 12:17-20
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone
Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at
peace with all men Never take your own re-

venge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath

of God, for it is written, vengeance is mine, I
will repay, says the Lord, but if your enemy
is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give
him a drink; for in so doing you will heap
burning coals on his head.
For those who consider the Bible to be
outdated book, and whose guidance is for
another generation, they couldnt be more
wrong! The passage in Romans, instead
shows mans desire to do his own will rather
than Gods! Revenge has long been a problem since shortly after the beginning of the
world. Cain murdered his own brother, perhaps in an attempt to get even with God for
disliking his offering. As time goes by this
problem has become even greater. Today,
we live in a self centered society, ruled by
the old eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth law. One swift to cast judgment and
carry out its sentence. Road Rage has even
reached the point where an individual kills
another over a parking spot, or a disgruntled
employee murders those who have done
him wrong in the past! And such behavior
has infiltrated the family circle, schools and
undoubtedly the church of the Lord. Society
glorifies these types of behavior, television
shows are dedicated to the confrontation of
relatives, spouses, and individuals. As Christians we should be careful to not get caught
up in this type of behavior, instead we are
encouraged to act differently and even go
beyond.
Paul writes in vs.17-18, Repay no one evil
for evil, but give thought to do what is honor(Continued on page 19)

Page 18

able in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it

to promote it, by living ourselves peaceably
depends on you, be at peace with all men.
and quietly, in all godliness and honesty. We
We must remember that, Our struggle is
should live peaceably with our very enemies,
not against flesh and blood, but against the
"if possible"; which is rightly put, for there
rulers, against the authorities, against the
are some persons of such tempers and dispopowers of this dark world and against the
sitions, that it is impossible to live peaceably
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
with them; for when others are for peace,
realms. Eph 6:12 The world forgives, but
they are for war. The apostle Paul adds andoesnt forget. At some point in our life we
other limitation of this rule, "so far as it dewill be mistreated without reason or justifipends on you; for more than this is not recation. We are not to let insignificant worldly
quired of us; nothing should be wanting on
struggles turn our hearts from the will of
our parts; every step should be taken to culGod; and be like the unmerciful servant who
tivate and maintain peace.
was incapable of forgiving a debt, which was
Another warning is given,
considerately smaller than the
Never take your own revenge
one he owed. Imagine our situarather, we are to make room
Give thought to do for the wrath of God, It is a
tion today, if God would remember our transgressions? Christ, our what is honorable in fearful thing to fall into the
Lord, bore an undeserved cross
hands of the living God. Heb
the sight of all.
for the forgiveness of our sins!
10:31 This sometimes is easier
And because of this sacrifice, our
Rom 12 :17
said than done! Its human nasins are remembered no more!
ture to react to adverse situaWe are to, if possible, so far as it
tions; take a look at reaction of
depends on you, be at peace with all men
one when Jesus was arrested (Matthew
This being with those that we are immedi26:51) We need to remember, that there is a
ately concerned with; so husbands should
great day coming, a day of joy for us, but a
live peaceably with their wives, and wives
dreadful day for many! The Lord comes for
with their husbands; parents with their chilvengeance on all those who rejected Him.
dren, and children with their parents; masIn the meanwhile we are to be like that
ters with their servants, and servants with
good Samaritan, and care for even those that
their masters. And so we are to be at peace
seek our harm. What do you think was the
with all members of the body of Christ,
Jewish mans reaction, when he found out
( 1 Thes 5:13 ); peace should rule in our
who rescued him? Surely, his opinion tohearts,( Col 3:15 ). In a civil sense; Christians
wards Samaritans changed. Likewise, our
should live peaceably in the neighborhood,
enemies, and others will see that we are diftowns, cities, and countries, where we dwell,
ferent, that we are truly children of God, and
and show ourselves to be the quiet in the
in doing so, we have conquered evil with
land. We should pray for the peace of the
good.
place where we are; and do all that we can
Page 19

Romans 12

Right Relationships Mean

Aileen Fancher

Right Living

Giving the best that I have

My soul, body and mind
Knowing Gods perfection
Seeking what we find
One body with many members
Members of one another
Using our talents
Each and every brother

In all of his letters, Paul concluded

with a list of practical duties that were
based on the doctrines he had discussed. In the Christian life, doctrine
and duty always go together. What
we believe helps to determine how
we behave. It is not enough for us to
understand Paul's doctrinal explanations. We must translate our learning

Some are edifying

Others are teaching
Some are preaching
While others are leading

into living and show by our daily lives

We all love earnestly

With brotherly love
We love one other
This comes from above

ship to God, we will have a right rela-

Live peaceably as we can

Have preference with one another
Being given to hospitality
Continuing in prayer
Hate what is evil
Cling to what is good
Repay not evil with evil
Overcome evil with good

that we trust God's Word.

The key idea in Romans 12 is relationships. If we have a right relationtionship to the people who are a part
of our lives. "If a man say, I love God,
and hateth his brother, he is a liar"
1Jn 4:20
Thoughts from
The Bible Exposition Commentary