...Love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. Live in true devotion to one another, loving each others as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first....Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. If people mistreat you or malign you, bless them. Always speak blessings, not curses....Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another...If it is within your power, make peace with all people.
Observation
When we give our lives to Christ we are adopted and become children of God. We receive blessings and an inheritance, but we also receive brothers and sisters....lots of brothers and sisters. These verses in Romans God is giving us the house rules. We all have them in our own house. You know "pick up after yourself," "we never say stupid or shut-up," "always pray before meals," etc. When someone who is not in your family comes over to your house it takes them awhile to become acclimated to the house rules.
It is the same with God's house. He is saying, "In My house we live in true devotion to another". "We don't love or serve based on condition". "In my house we honor one another and put others first". "We also forgive others and bless them". "We speak blessings to each other". " In My house we work towards unity".
Why do we and why does God have house rules? Because when the house rules are kept everything runs smoothly; there is no chaos or disorder, things get done. When the house rules are kept there is peace. When the house rules are kept we are making progress.
Why do we keep the house rules? We keep the house rules because we know that they are for our good. We can see the difference when we don't. When we understand that the rules are for our good and made out of love, then we begin to transform into the image of the Father.
Application
I've let these verses soak the last few days in my heart before doing S.O.A.P. because I know that I am not living up to the house rules like I should. Especially the house rule that say's I need to open my life and my home to others. Yet, in my house my kids don't get to pick and choose the house rules they follow, how much more the standard must be maintained in God's house.
Prayer
Father, I come before You and ask for Your forgiveness for my selfishness and disobedience. I have not followed Your house rules. I also ask for help in keeping the rules that You have set. Please remind me of Your house rules when selfishness is starting to take over.
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