CHRISTIAN BE'S & BE NOT'S

Romans 12:10-18 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them, which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Mothers usually give this sound advice to their children as they leave for school, or to other places, as they get older. A caring Mom will always say, "remember, always be good." The New Testament is filled with attitudes and characteristics that all Christian should adopt, and allow to govern the conduct of their lives. There are many things a Christian should be, and many they should not be. In the lesson text, Paul mentions, not all, but a number of them.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.The caring, concerned affection one Christian should have for another is referred to in this passage as brotherly love. It is the same affection that parents have for children - one that demonstrates an intense desire and concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of a family member. The same familial relationship that should exist within our physical families, should also exists within the family, or the brotherhood, of the church of Christ. For brotherly love to exist within the body of Christ is, not only good, it is a commandment of Jesus Christ. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34, also 1 John 3:23). God, our Heavenly Father, loves us. This same affection is to exist between His children. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (1 John 4:11).

Be honoring and preferring toward one another. Love for our fellow Christians is to demonstrate a respect that places them in a superior position. It is extremely difficult, maybe even impossible for some, to humbly serve others, whom you consider to be inferior to yourself. What sage advice the apostle Paul gave the church at Philippi when he wrote, in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves (Phil. 2:3). Christians are not to seek honor, but, rather, bestow it on others. Such is the attitude of a servant, which is exactly what all Christians are to be within the body of Christ.

Be not slothful in business. With what would we compare the indolence of human beings, if it weren't for that slow moving, South American mammal, the sloth? To be slothful is to be slow, lazy, idle, inactive, and having a disinclination to work. Demonstrating slothfulness in business is disdainful, and even more so as a Christian. "In business" is used in this phrase in a general sense. One is not to be slothful in any worthy endeavor. All diligence should be used to perform all works and deeds to the best of our abilities. To give less than your best effort, is to be slothful in God's eyes. Our talents came from God. We are not to use them in slothful manner.

Be fervent in spirit. To be fervent, is to have a burning desire, to be passionate, ardent, and intensely earnest about something to be accomplished. Although Apollos was not fully instructed in the Lord until taught by Aquila and Priscilla, yet it is said of him that being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord (Acts 18:24-25). To labor in the Lord's vineyard, a Christian must never be lax and indifferent. Rather one should be enthusiastic, zealous, and consistently striving to succeed in their service to God.

Always be serving the Lord. Christian duties should always be carried out, and completed, with the most diligent effort we can possibly muster. Our God in heaven is our Father, but He is also our Master. We must, not only be His obedient children, but also His humble, dedicated, and persevering servants, realizing that at the end of time, on the Day of Judgment, we must give an account of our lives. Indeed, we must return the talents He gave us, to use in our service to Him, while here on earth. Be assured, our Master will require a just increase, in the talents given us, in our service to Him.

Be rejoicing in hope. Throughout life many things occur that bring anxiety and sadness. These things happen to all, but to the Christian, they are not lasting, and soon give way to rejoicing. The reason is the glorious hope of eternal salvation. Jesus, Himself, assured us of this in His "Sermon on the Mount." Followers of Christ will, indeed, be blessed, even when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Instead of being anxious and sad over such persecution, Christians will rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven (Matt. 5:11-12). In Luke's gospel, Jesus told His followers to rejoice, because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

Be patient in tribulation. Tribulation also gives way to rejoicing in the hope of eternal salvation. Because of this assurance, the trials of life are patiently endured. James tells us that the temptations of life will try our faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. He follows this by telling us to let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:4). Paul had already explained this to the Roman brethren saying that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18).

Continue to be instant in prayer. Using the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus taught us the power of persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8). Paul wrote to the Christians at Colosse, admonishing them to Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Col. 4:2). There is no greater comfort in life than communing with God through prayer. He wants His children to come to Him; to remain close to Him; to rely on Him for wisdom, guidance, and protection, during our sojourn here on earth. This we can do only in prayer to God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Be benevolent by distributing to the necessity of saints. Commit this to memory: all things we have, in this world, have been given to us by God - we have nothing to call our own. We are mere servants, caretakers, and stewards of God's earthly blessings. God provides more that enough to sustain our life here on earth. The overage from His abundance is to be shared with others that are in need. This, Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Hoarding God's blessings has no eternal value. However, distributing the gifts, He blessed us with, to others in need, is a treasure stored in heaven, that will allow Christians to lay hold on eternal life (See 1 Tim. 6:18-19).

Be given to hospitality. Hospitality is a requirement of all elders in the church of Christ (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8). However, this passage assures us, that it is also a commandment of God, and that all Christians are to be given to hospitality. The writer of the Hebrew letter, in order to emphasize the need for brotherly love, wrote, be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Heb. 13:1-2). This passage could be referring to Abraham and Lot, both of whom entertained angels unaware of who they were. Although there is no evidence that this could take place today, yet it is a good practice to demonstrate hospitality to others as if it could occur. When such hospitality is shown, one can be assured that our unseen guest will be our heavenly Father, and, to Him, it will be a pleasing act of brotherly love.

Be found blessing, instead of cursing, them which persecute you. This Christian tenet of attitude and conduct was summed up in Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount," when he taught His disciples to love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:44). Jewish law, in most instances, allowed for retribution in like kind, such as "an eye for an eye," but under the Christian Dispensation, it was no longer to be practiced. In the present age, we are not to practicethe Jewish law of loving your neighbor, but hating your enemy. No longer are the children of God to render evil for evil, ...but ever follow that which is good (1 Thess. 5:15, also see 1 Peter 3:9).

Be sympathetic to both the joy and sorrow of others. Envy and selfish pride have no place in this commandment; neither does false compassion or cold sympathy. To truly feel the joy and sorrow of others, it must be demonstrated in a heart-felt manner, just as if the reason for the emotion was directed toward ourselves. Within His body, His church, brotherly love must always be demonstrated, in order tobe pleasing to God. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. 12:26). Rejoice with those that rejoice; weep with those that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Unity and the peace which is brings cannot be achieved in Christ's church without knowledge of, and obedience to, this godly admonition. Peter wrote that the body of Christ is to be of one mind, having compassion one of another (1 Peter 3:8). This is the same message Paul delivered to the church at Philippi. He wrote, if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Phil. 2:1-2).

Be not high-minded, but be condescending. Ambition should cease when a job is well done and completed. Beyond the accomplishment of good deeds lies only the praise and honor of one's fellow man. The Christian is never to seek it. Why? Because in seeking personal honor and positions of distinction, we will pass by the poor and needy unnoticed. Rather, we are to condescend to men of low estate. That is, a Christian is to seek humble and compassionate people after whom to model their conduct of life, instead of those that seek worldly distinction through power, wealth, and titles.

Be not wise in your own conceits. To rely on one's own knowledge and wisdom nullifies the influence of the superior knowledge and understanding of others that are more wise, and, most assuredly, voids the wisdom of God that should be sought to govern our lives. The prophet, Isaiah, wrote, by inspiration, Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:21), while the writer of Proverbs said there is more hope of a fool than, a man wise in his own conceit (This is the restated meaning of Prov. 26:12). One that is a wise man and endued with knowledge, (is to) show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.Strive for the wisdom of God, for it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (See James 3:13-17).

Be not vengeful. Recompense to no man evil for evil. This means that a Christian is never to repay a harmful deed with similar evil deeds. Peter wrote that, in order to inherit God's blessings, one cannot return evil for evil, or railing for railing (1 Peter 3:9). To many this may be a difficult commandment, but one, which our Lord and Savior requires. Jesus, in His "Sermon on the Mount," told His disciples during his ministry on earth, and tells us today, But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt. 5:39). In the verse following the lesson text, Paul wrote, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Vs. 19).

Be a provider of things honest in the sight of all men. This commandment is not one that is accomplished by "human instinct." Rather, honesty is exhibited with others through deep thought and determination. Christians must do good and honest deeds, and let not worldly matters deter them from it. Demonstrating honesty in our lives, breeds, or evokes honesty in the lives of others, especially when they can see the happiness and joy it brings to the provider of honesty. The caution to Christians, in such acts as the demonstration of honesty, or any other good work, is that it not be planned or done for the sole reason of being seen, and receiving praise from mankind. This, in itself, would be dishonest. (Study 1 Cor. 13).

Be at peace with all men. The Psalmist writes, and is quoted by Peter as saying, seek peace, and pursue it (Psalm 34:14, 1 Peter 3:11). Paul, a little later in this letter, admonishes the Roman Christians to follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (Rom. 14:19). James says that without being at peace with others, it is impossible to penetrate their hearts and sow the fruit of righteousness (James 3:18). Christians cannot teach those with whom peace cannot be demonstrated and attained. The lesson text says that if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. "If it be possible," implies that in some instances peace is not possible. However, it is qualified by the phrase "as much as lieth in you," which tells us that, if peace cannot be attained it will not be the fault of the Christian, but will be due to the unreceptive heart of the person to whom peace is being extended.

In Jesus Christ, be all that you can and should be; be not otherwise!