Living Together in the Neighborhood

Romans 12:9-21

IN THIS wonderful passage of Scripture we have a set of rules and admonitions which are quite foreign to the vast majority who live in the average neighborhood of today. This is not to be wondered at, for Paul wrote this message to Christians, and the standards by which a zealous Christian endeavors to live are not the standards of the world. The difficulty lies in the fact that the great church systems of today have created the impression that all who are not Jews or heathens should be regarded as Christians. But this is not true. We have what are called Christian nations, but they are not truly Christian, and the same is true of all the communities which make up a nation. These communities are Christian only to the extent of the number of earnest individual Christians who live in them.

But these individual Christians are charged with the responsibility of displaying the banner of Christ, in their homes, in their communities, and in the nations. They are the ambassadors of Christ, representing their King in a foreign land, so it behooves them to walk circumspectly. They are not to he conformed to the ways of the world in which they live, but both by their words and their conduct are continually to sound the praises of their King and of his glorious kingdom.

And how different from the world these are sure to be if they follow the instructions of Paul! Unselfishness is to be the governing principle of their lives. They are to abhor evil, and cleave to that which is good. They are to be kindly affectioned one to another, and in honor they are to prefer one another. How unlike the world are these rules of life!

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Those who are Christian in name only would probably apply the former part of this statement to their gainful occupations, using it as justification for creating wealth for themselves. But this is not the thought at all. Jesus instructed his followers to “take no [anxious] thought for the morrow,” and we could hardly reconcile this with the idea of diligently pursuing a worldly business for commercial gain with the thought that this in itself would be serving the Lord. Evidently when the apostle wrote that Christians should be “not slothful in business” he was referring to their chief business of serving the Lord. To whatever extent our worldly occupations are necessary, they should of course be followed faithfully, as unto the Lord.

“Rejoicing in hope.” One does not hope for that which he already possesses, and the Christian’s hope is not that he will some day, while in the flesh, bring about a reformation of the community in which he lives. Rather, his hope is to share with Jesus in his future reign, rejoicing in the knowledge that the messianic kingdom will cause righteousness to fill the earth. Every Christian who has this hope will gladly tell his neighbors about it, and encourage them to look for that glorious day of future blessing.

No true Christian is at home in the world. To be a faithful follower of Christ means that one will have tribulation, so the apostle’s admonition is to be “patient in tribulation”—not to seek escape from it by compromising with the world. In order to bear cheerfully the trials involved in leading a faithful Christian life one will need to be “instant in prayer.” Prayer is the soul’s communion with God, and is a wonderful source of strength in every time of need.

“Distributing to the necessity of the saints.” In the days of the Early Church this was a very common and very important privilege of the Lord’s people, for there were many of the brethren who had little of this world’s goods. The Gospel then, even as now, interested some from all classes of human society; and it was the privilege of the more fortunate ones along material lines to “distribute” to those less fortunate.

This is not such a general function of the church today, although the devastations of war have resulted in much hardship among the brethren in many countries, and it has been the privilege of those not so adversely affected. to aid the needy ones. So, in these closing days of the Gospel age, even as in the beginning, this phase of Christian service has become a very important one.

Jesus went about doing good, the Scriptures tell us, and we are to do the same. Our viewpoint is always to be one of helpfulness. Thus we will bless those who persecute us; rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. We will be just as interested in those of “low estate,” as those of “high estate.” We will recognize our own lack of wisdom, so will not be wise in our own conceits.

We will endeavor to live peaceably with all men—so far as is possible. But we will not compromise truth and righteousness in order to do this. Where these issues are at stake, we will stand firm, come what may; but when we are opposed and persecuted, will not strike back, will not render evil for evil, but will leave the matter in the Lord’s hands, for, as the Lord declares, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”

Romans 13:8-10

A CHRISTIAN is duty bound to meet all his obligations, financial and otherwise; but in addition to this he is to exercise love toward all those with whom he comes in contact. He who loves, Paul writes, has fulfilled the Law. Each of the Ten Commandments which has to do with one’s duty toward his neighbor is fulfilled by the exercise of love.

This was Paul’s argument—“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.” Thus we see that the law of the new creation is a much higher one than that given to the Jews. Love goes beyond the negative aspect of not working ill to one’s neighbor, to, the positive function of actually being willing to lay down life for another. Indeed, the whole Christian life is one of sacrifice, for we are planted together in the likeness of Christ’s death.

QUESTIONS

Can communities where one or more churches exist be properly called Christian?

What is the responsibility of a Christian toward his neighbors?

What did Paul mean when he wrote to Christians to be not slothful in business?

Can a Christian hope to reform this present evil world?

How will the desire to do good affect one’s viewpoint of all life’s experiences?

Explain how love fulfils the Law given to Israel.

What is the law of the new creation?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |