How to live in Christ

Romans 12:9-21; 6/29/2025; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang

Introduction

When a person believes in Jesus Christ,  the first thing he may be concerned about is how to behave in Christ.  Because people listen to the word in order to practice it,  and only what is practiced is the way of life.  Let’s look at the first point: 

Love others as yourself because of God’s love

Because God is love, we can love one another.  The Bible says, “You shall love one another!”  From this, everyone will recognize that we are the Lord’s disciples. First, love one another in the truth.  For a believer, the so-called truth can be the Bible or the true God of the Trinity.  Christ is the truth, which expresses the true life and mission. Therefore, Paul exhorts us to “love others without hypocrisy!”  Evil should be hated and good should be approached, which means that Christians should have a clear view of good and evil and should not be confused about right and wrong.  The antichrist regime persecutes the church, kills Christians, and tortures God’s servants, but some of us still cooperate with Satan’s representatives to hold a Bible exhibition in North America.  The superficial intimacy, making dumplings, steaming buns, and showing kindness seem to serve the Lord, but in fact they are in the company of the world and walking with Satan!   To love one another, we must be in Christ, in the truth, and in the standards of the Bible.        

Secondly, love each other in patience.  Love is difficult because it is not simple or easy.  We can be very enthusiastic, but we may not be understood by others.  We may feel good about ourselves, peaceful and joyful, but when we encounter difficulties, we will “technically deform”.  The so-called “technical deformation” refers to a situation that exceeds the normal favorable conditions.  The Bible says: ”Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)”  Especially when we are being asked to have a tea meeting, detained in a cell, threatened, etc., patience becomes the best gift the Holy Spirit has given us.  Especially “Bless those who persecute you; only bless and do not curse.”   Loving those who do not love us or even persecute us is true love in God’s eyes!      

   

Finally, love each other in difficult situations.  When we encounter grievances, persecution, imprisonment, bondage, poverty, and sadness, the Bible requires us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. “  Is it difficult?  Of course it is difficult!  Human nature is selfish, easily self-centered, not easy to care about others,  and even more difficult to have an “altruistic” mentality.  When you see others benefit,  you should be grateful, satisfied, joyful, and bless them.  Especially when you are misunderstood or even mistreated by others, can you still have a normal heart and a quiet spirit?  What is even more difficult is “don’t repay evil with evil”!  You hit me on the left cheek, and Jesus commanded me to give you the right cheek.  This is extremely wise.  People from the world cannot understand.  Let’s look at the second point:

Always strive to be at peace with everyone

The heart is more deceitful than all things, and is so bad that who can know it?  Sometimes, even in the church, disappointing things happen.  First, do the right thing.  It is in the nature of the wicked to do evil, and even the Lord will not be surprised. However, when the wicked do evil, it provokes God’s children to retaliate, or to give the wicked a taste of their own medicine.  Then, in God’s eyes, we are no different from the wicked.   There is no difference.  What God cares about is our heart that is Christ-only, our heart that is moved by Him, our heart that Satan is helpless against, and our heart that makes us victorious.  Our strength lies in quietness and in trust, and our victory lies in magnifying the Lord.  What Satan fears most is that we have a close relationship with the Bible.  What Satan likes most is that we have no feelings, and no connection with the Bible.  The Bible says, I have hidden your word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.  

Secondly,  live peaceably with all.  The people here refer to the church.  So why did Paul say:  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”  Because the church is the body of Christ, we are all called together and have the same hope.  Even  “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:5-6)”  If it is not a major issue of principle, then we should try to choose peace in the church.  Of course, the premise of Paul’s words is: “If possible!”  Because unity is not about compromise, but about unity of mind in the truth.  

Finally, we should do our best.  It is not easy to do the right thing, and it is even more difficult to maintain the unity of the church.  Why?  From the perspective of the believers’ lives, it is because our old self is unwilling to die and cannot die completely.  The church is the place where Christ reigns, and the old self jumps out to snatch God’s glory and compete for Christ’s authority.  Paul also knew that this was not easy, so what should he do?  Paul encouraged, saying, “If possible…” It means that we cannot rely on ourselves, but must rely on the Lord!  What is impossible with man is possible with God. Paul asked, “If possible,” which is asking about our willingness and whether we are willing to hand over sovereignty to God.   Let’s look at the third point: 

Vengeance is mine, I will repay

When the Lord Jesus was crucified, he prayed to God the Father, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.  First, do not seek justice for yourself.  This is the most difficult, right?  It is clearly your own grievance, but you cannot seek justice for yourself.  Why?  Not only that, but we are also asked to give in. Why?  Human nature, that is, sinful nature, is to seek revenge.  There is an old saying in our tradition:  If you do not seek revenge, you are not a gentleman, and you will be cursed for eternity. However, the Bible teaches us not to seek justice for yourself!  This is because retribution is within God’s authority, and He does not want anyone to take over or even seize His authority.  Of course, in this process, the heart is very painful.  You know who is behind it, who is the evil person, and even have evidence in hand.  But God says, do not seek justice for yourself! Are you willing to obey?  

Secondly, where to heap burning coals on?  To heap the  burning coals on his head was a popular idiom at the time.  It means to make the other person feel ashamed,  as if being burned by a raging fire.  Please note that the mentality here is not revenge, but kindness.  How kind is it?  And no matter how you treat me, I will pray for blessings and peace for you before God, and treat you with the heart of Christ, looking forward to your grace and your benefit!  This is the meaning of burning coals.  Some people interpret the Bible and say that this person was so bad to me that God should burn him and scald him with burning coals!  That is of course wrong. 

Finally, we should overcome evil with good.  It’s not easy, right?  I can treat evil people without being evil.  But how can I treat evil with kindness?  In fact, this is the highest level of victory in interpersonal relationships!  Whether it is a husband-wife relationship, a parent-child relationship, a friend relationship, or a colleague relationship,  the same principle applies.  If the husband or wife loses his temper, the other party chooses to be quiet, even smiles, and speaks kind words.  This will heap burning coals on his/her head, causing people to blame themselves for their sins under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  The effect of overcoming evil with good is to bear the fruit of peace,  and God’s name will also receive the glory it deserves. 

Conclusion

Well, thank God!  Life is not easy, and walking the road to heaven is even harder!    It is difficult because we rely on ourselves, not on God!  We have no love, but we can ask God for love!  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make the church united.  Not to seek justice for ourselves is to please God!  Because God is pleased when we overcome evil with good, so that He can get the glory He deserves!      

Let us pray……

 

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 

12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 

20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.