A Living Faith, Part Two
Romans 12:9-21
Some of the most difficult contexts of ministry can occur at the local level.
Matthew 13:54-57, "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."
Indeed to minister where we live can be a difficult calling. And that is why many mission agencies today before they accept a person for candidacy will inquire into their present habits and ministries in their own home, church, and place of work. See, if you aren't serving Christ where you are today, you probably won't serve Christ if God placed you in the context of a broader ministry. And thus one of the qualifications of an appointed elder is this:
1 Timothy 3:4-5, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
And thus, after Christ saved the Gadarene Demoniac, we read this in the book of Mark:
Mark 5:18-19, "And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."
In essence, Christ says, "Go home and minister."
And yet, this raises the question, what should a ministry in our home look like? Or more specifically, in the body of Christ what should the focus of our ministry be? How are we to minister? Our text answers this as it continues in it description of a living faith. Last time we saw the affections of a living faith. This morning notice that a living faith also will result in a devotion to the body of Christ. And what are the elements of that devotion?
A Living Faith Produces Love for One Another.
Romans 12:10, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."
The New American Standard renders this verse "be devoted to one another in brotherly love."1 At the outset, notice that Paul is directly addressing our ministry in the BODY OF CHRIST as he writes more literally, "with regard to brotherly love."
The early church, in contrast to the nations that surrounded it, considered themselves a family. God was their Father and they all were brothers and sisters.2 While in our day, the "family of God" is frequently viewed as optional. In Paul's day, it held a very important place in the lives of God's people. Becoming a Christian had sever ramifications for many in the early church. If you were Jewish, you probably would be disowned. If you were a member of one of the many trade guilds, you were forced to resign since your guild not only was a source of enterprise but was also a religion in and of itself. If you were Gentile, you threw away your false gods, and thus were prone to the persecution that undoubtedly would have arisen.3 For all of these reasons and more, just surviving became an issue in the ancient church.
Thus to be united to a body whose existence was NOT for the sake of the individual member but was for the sake of God and His glory. One united to the body of Christ for the building up of His body on this earth4 meant that you became a part of a community which, for most, would have been the only source of support, help in time of need, family and not to mention, true worship. So brotherly love5 while rare in the secular culture of Paul's day, became a common word and practice in the early church. Thus Paul identifies the living faith as one which is devoted to it.
The word affection devoted comes from the compound word philostorgoi which references family love.6 It is a love that is seen between natural children and their parents. For example the idea is conveyed well in the story of the prodigal son. In Luke 15:11-32, we read of this parable. The second of two children approaches his father and asks for his share of the family inheritance. The father agrees to this demand and the child goes off in riotous living where he spends every penny he owned. After some time the son seeks a job and is a hired slave. The son comes to his senses and decides to go home and work as slave for his father. When he is still far away from home, we read these words:
Luke 15:20, "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
What is striking about this parable is that as bad and irresponsible as the boy had been there was a bond that existed between him and his father such that his father welcomed him in love. His father gave little thought as to what the son had done. The father did not recall how bad the son had been. It is this kind of family love that is being referenced here as that which we must diligently work at in the body of Christ. In fact notice, Paul's command here is not to love one another as a brother, but to work at cultivating our brotherly love. We are to diligently labor at it. We are to see to it that our love for the brethren grows! This is what a living faith is all about.
Yet the thing that keeps all of us from a living faith is sin. The body of Christ is full of sinful beings. And because of this, I have no doubt that at some time you will be hurt by this body. An unkind word will be spoken to you. A thoughtless deed will be perpetrated upon you. You will not be loved when you need it most. Why? Because we are sinners.
And what then will become of brotherly love? Will you walk away, saying, "I don't need these people or their church!" Will you become angry and embittered against your brother? Will you grumble and complain that your circumstances are rotten? Will you choose to involve yourself in some other activity or group?
God forbid! To forsake the body of Christ, is to abandon a living faith! It has been said:
"In our selfishness, the blessings of a church body have become a right instead of a privilege, a privilege which should be protected by our love for one another unto God's glory and not our own."7
Indeed in contrast and against the current of our day we must "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love!"
But what will this look like? Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 13! While this text specifically addresses self-sacrificing love8 the distinction between self-sacrificing love and brotherly love we must have for believers is minimal. The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 represents the type of love that we ought to have for the body of Christ.9 The love described therein represents what God enables believers to cultivate by His grace and power.10
What does biblical love and for that matter brotherly love look like? It is patient.11 This means that it is willing to be inconvenienced or taken advantage of by a person over and over again and yet not be upset or angry. It is kind. Just as patience will take anything from others, kindness will give anything to others, even to its enemies. Biblical love is not jealous, it does not brag. While jealousy wants what others have, bragging is trying to make others jealous of what we have. Love is not puffed up arrogant and it does not act unbecomingly.12 The idea here is that we care enough for the feelings of others that we will not offend them. Love does not seek its own specifically it is not selfish. Love is not provoked and it keeps very short accounts of the wrongs that it suffers.
Here the child of God's world view is such that when a person challenges or opposes him he knows what weighs in the balance. Thus the Christian remains unprovoked. The child of God seeks to emulate our Lord when wronged by seeking to restore others to the faith. Love rejoices in the good.13 Love does not delight in the sin or failings of another. Rather it delights in that which benefits a brother or sister. Love bears all things to protect others from ridicule, harm and/or abuse. Love believes the best about the brethren. Love hopes all things. In other words it anticipates and works for the restoration of the brethren. Finally love endures all things because it never ceases loving.
Indeed! That is the love to which we are exhorted when it comes to the body of Christ! That is the natural result of the living faith!
The Living Faith Highly Values One Another.
Romans 12:10, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."
The living faith gives preference to one another in honor.14 The focus of this phrase is on honor. Literally this passage reads:
"With regard to honoring one another."
Again, the implication here is that this activity is something that we already do. Yet, what is the content of this assumed activity? Honor carries the idea of respect and even reverence. It is to show genuine appreciation and admiration for another person. In its verbal form, it shows up in Ephesians 6:2 and 1 Timothy 1:17.
Ephesians 6:2, "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)."
1 Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
In both of these passages and in our text the thought is the same honor is to highly value something, to hold in the highest regard and respect. Because each of us are image bearers of God and have been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and are members of the household of faith, each and everyone of us are important and valuable in the kingdom of God!
1 Corinthians 12:18, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
2 Corinthian 5:16, "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."
And thus, Paul says, "With regard to this honor this respect that all Christians have for one another. . ." what must we do? ". . . Give preference to one another." And what does this mean? By giving preference we mean to go before, lead or precede. In other words, when it comes to the honor that Gods children ought to have for one another, each of us must purpose to be the leader. Paul essentially is saying, do not wait around for others to honor you, rather be the initiator and give the highest respect to another rather than yourself. Be the one that sets the example of laboring to honor others. Be the one who sets the pace and live in light of the importance of another.
The living faith does not wait for another to treat them with respect before it acts. Rather the living faith is first when it comes to putting others needs in front of its own.
Now brothers and sisters, this is a difficult command. It involves not so much our actions but our attitudes. As Luther said:
"It is much easier to give (to another) or to serve (others) [in] the body than to despise oneself and to esteem all others more highly (than oneself).15
How can we genuinely honor all brothers and sisters and not at times be guilty of insincerity or hypocrisy?
Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
How can the Christian doctor who is chief in his field truly regard the Christian trash collector as "better than themselves?" How can the Christian President truly regard the unemployed Christian as "better than themselves." By recognizing who we really are in Christ! In the context of the Kingdom of God, Paul is perhaps the most important man that ever lived next to Christ. Paul had incredible training.16 He had a unique conversion.17 His position as the Apostle to the gentiles was irreplaceable.18 His work done in the kingdom his sacrifice and total commitment to God is still unmatched.19 Pauls writings were essential to the founding of the church (all 13 letters.
What is it that kept Paul from boasting? What is it that kept Paul from concluding that he was the greatest? What kept Paul from saying he was the most important? What kept Paul from saying he was irreplaceable? What kept Paul from saying he deserved honor and glory from the body of Christ? Paul's correct understanding of who he was in Christ! Paul knew that, at best, he was a wretched and vile sinner before God.
Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
Paul calls himself a "wretched man" literally a man to be pitied. Paul refers to himself as, ". . .the scum of the world, the dregs of all things."20 Paul knew that God did not make distinctions.
Galatians 2:6, "But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me."
Paul says, "For there is no partiality with God. . ."- and then goes on to say that ALL are deserving of hell!21 Paul knew that whatever a man was could only be attributed to the grace of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10, "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
How can we genuinely honor all brethren in the Lord? By going back to the Cross and beholding the penalty due us and the grace of God given to us. When we truly see that we are nothing more than sinners saved by grace honoring ones on whom God has set His love will not be very difficult at all regardless of our worldly position!
As the living faith is devoted to the body of Christ, we must love one another and honor one another.
A Living Faith Invests in the Salvation of One Another
Romans 12:13, "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."
Distributing to the needs of the saints could literally read "with regard to the needs of the saints."
22 Now, from a casual reading of the New Testament, it becomes apparent at once that physical needs abounded in the Apostolic church. As referenced earlier, conversion to Christianity many times brought financial ruin. And thus a common theme in Scripture is the "attending to the physical needs of the body". We read of the early church SELLING THEIR PROPERTY to support the needy among them.23 We read of a FAMINE and the consequent NEEDS of God's people in Judea.24 We read of the Apostle's REQUEST to Paul to REMEMBER THE POOR.25 We read of another CHURCH-WIDE EFFORT at CARING for the PHYSICAL NEEDS of the Saints.26Now with regard to the many needs that the body of Christ possesses, Paul here exhorts us to minister to one another in a rather specific way. He says, "contribute to their needs." Distributing is a word loaded with connotation. It just does not mean to give though this is included in the word. It goes beyond this and means to participate in -- to fellowship!
27 To understand the nuance of this word, notice its use elsewhere in Scripture:1 Timothy 5:22, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."
Hebrews 2:14, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."
2 John 10-11, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
1 Peter 4:13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
The idea behind what is translated as distributing in our text is participate, partaker, involve, or invest. It goes beyond just the meeting of a physical need, and includes meeting the needs of the whole person specifically his spiritual needs.
This is what a living faith is all about. A living faith views any need as an excuse to participate in the salvation of another believer, encourage another unto faithfulness in God's kingdom, bear another's burden and to pray for, comfort, soothe, or even rebuke another for the glory and honor of our King. In essence, the living faith is a faith that is as concerned for another's growth in Christ as it is its own.
Most churches today are very good at meeting the physical needs of its body. Most churches are great at meeting the social needs of its body. Many churches have programs to meet the emotional needs of its body. Yet, find a church whose members are serious when it comes to investing in the spiritual needs of one another, and you will have found a rare jewel.
In light of this, let me share with you my "wish list" for this body? I long and pray for the day when coming to church means giving God the glory that is His due partly by investing in the spiritual health and welfare of one another. After I give the benediction and say, "please greet each other," we respond by genuinely asking each other how we are doing, and then bowing in prayer or praise for each other right here. I no longer receive phone calls from people who just want to gripe about what so and so did. But rather, those "gripers" would commit themselves to praying for the objects of their offense. We realize that we are all sinners in need of Christ, and thus deal graciously with one another as we would have Christ deal with us. We all realize that ministry is not something that only "elders and deacons" do, but that which all in the body are accountable for.
28 Fellowship is not just a concept, but the practice of everyone of us here as we together labor for the honor and glory of our King. We all exercise our living faith! That is my "wish list" which I believe represents Biblical desires desires founded upon the exhortation of our text!
Will we approach this goal? YES! But only as God grants his grace. We must submit and humble ourselves to God for us to reach this goal.
Conclusion
God is in the business of changing lives for the sake of His kingdom. As we have been redeemed by the Cross of Christ, so we know that as the day draws near, our faith in our Lord and Savior will continue to mature. What will this maturing faith look like? As it relates to the body of Christ, our living faith will result in a sincere love for the brethren. Our living faith will result in a diligent labor at honoring one another. Our living faith will have genuine care for the physical and spiritual needs of the body. Indeed, this is what a living faith is all about!
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1
ta philadelphia eis allalous philostorgoi2
Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:53
Compare with the church in Thessalonica.4
Compare Ephesians 4:11-13 and Matthew 28:18-205
philadelphia6
In fact the root is storga from which is derived the English, stork!7
Janet Thurston, 1996.8
Agape9
Indeed, John. 13:34-36 specifically calls the disciples to agapao. In light of this and the many other commands in 1 John calling the child of God to the love of the body, we conclude that agapa and philostorgoi will manifest the same characteristics.10
Recognize that Paul's exhortation here implies a very important truth. Brotherly love and for that matter, agapa love is able to be encouraged and developed. See, the Spirit of God shapes and molds the believer's character as he walks in the truth. And thus, to practice love toward one another when "it doesn't count"- when very little is at stake- is to reap a character that will respond in love WHEN your brother or sister does sin against you!11
1 Corinthians 13:412
1 Corinthians 13:513
1 Corinthians 13:614
ta tima allalous proagoumenoi15
Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, page 175.16
Philippians 3:5-617
Acts 9:1-1918
Galatians 2:919
2 Corinthians 11:22-2920
1 Corinthians 4:1321
Romans 2:11-1222
tais chreiais ton hagion koinonountes23
Acts 4:2424
Acts 11:28-2925
Galatians 2:1026
2 Corinthians 8:427
In fact, the word is koinoneo.28
Compare James 1:27