With extra time on my hands, my plan for the coming months centered on serving people as much as I could. But while helping a new friend, I tripped and fell and broke my arm in three places. Suddenly I was the one in need. God’s people cared for me with visits, gift cards, flowers, phone calls, texts, prayers, meals (and even a box of chocolates), and by running errands. I couldn’t believe how kind my family, friends, and fellow church members were! It was as if God were saying, “Sit down. You need help. You’ll see what caring looks like.” Because of them, I know more about serving from the heart and feeling grateful to God for others.
Fellow believers eagerly helped me in the ways Paul instructed the church members living in Rome to follow (Romans 12). He encouraged them in many ways, including to love sincerely, to be devoted to one another in love, to honor others, and to share with those in need (vv. 9-13). Paul taught them doctrine throughout his letter. But he also shared that life in Christ isn’t abstract theology—it’s shown in our practical daily living (chs. 12-16). God’s way is love. Receiving and then pouring out His love on others is one of many ways to express His love for us.
As we look for and find everyday ways to serve people in our churches or communities, they’ll be encouraged, we’ll be blessed, and God will be praised.
Who needs your help this week? What will you do?
You’re kind beyond measure, God. Please help me to receive and give Your love to those around me.
For further study, read A Family Dedicated to Serving.
A pattern found in several of Paul’s church letters (see Ephesians and Colossians) is that he teaches a section of doctrine followed by a section of practical application and response. In Romans, the doctrinal teaching is found in chapters 1-11, with practical response dominating chapters 12-16. The key transition point is the word therefore in 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Paul is saying that because of the love and grace God has demonstrated for us as described in chapters 1-11, we can have the heart response described in chapters 12-16. As one pastor said, “What we believe must influence and impact how we behave as God’s ambassadors.” God’s love for us enables us to pour out His love on others.
