Romans 12:9-21

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 90 Chapter 12:9 – 21

“Our relationship to society.” - Part 1 Verses 9 – 11

By Pastor Randy Johnson

Introduction: Let us not forget, all of these are things we should do to please the Lord, because of the mercy He has bestowed on us in salvation. Verse 1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

1. Verse 9 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
1. “Let love be without dissimulation…” the word “dissimulation” means - without hypocrisy or unfeigned (with sincerity) - 1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

a. Let us not forget where the believers love comes from, it comes from God. Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

b. This love is not just in word but also in deed. 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

c. We are not just to pat another believer on the back and say something that you don't mean. Let love be without hypocrisy.

2. “…Abhor that which is evil…”

a. The word “abhor” means - to detest utterly – which means - means to hate; to turn from; to avoid”

b. The word “evil” here means - to essential character – which refers to our evil character like malice or unkindness.

c. The Lord did not limit this to our brethren or to our church membership, but rather to all mankind, Jesus was never evil toward no man not even to Judas or to them that beat Him or even crucified Him.

d. A Christian’s responsibility in society is to be a loving person in all areas of life and even to the world. Matthew 5:39 “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.”

e. Psalms 34:14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

f. Psalms 97:10 “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”

3. “…cleave to that which is good.”

a. The word “cleave means – to glue or to stick – to what is good; God is good so cleave to God. Cleave to His ways, walk like Jesus did and you will certainly be cleaving to God.

b. Believers must always be careful that the use of their gifts does not lead them to unloving or evil motives, attitudes, or actions.

4. Verse 10 “Be kindly affectioned (that is to have a family affection for one another) one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
1. Verse 11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

1. “Not slothful in business…”

a. The word “slothful” means – tardy or sluggish or lazy –

b. “in business” means – in Gods business not in worldly business.

c. Hebrews 6:10, 12 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (12.) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

d. John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” I think we may have forgotten the urgency of our work for the Lord.

2. “…fervent in spirit…”

a. The word “fervent” means – to be hot; that is to bring to a boil - This word is usually applied to water, or to metals so heated as to bubble, or boil. – Albert Barnes.

b. “Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” – Adam Clark

c. Is the churches of Christ “fervent in spirit” Revelation 3:14 - 17 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15.) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16.) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17.) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

3. “…serving the Lord;” – That is in serving the Lord.

a. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

b. Our life and our church should have one single focus, serving the Lord, and serving Him in a proper fashion.

c. When a Christian or an entire church becomes lazy and fails to properly serve God then we have all failed as servants.