📖 Scripture

📝 Scripture Summary

Paul encourages believers to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. He instructs them to live in harmony, to avoid pride, and to not repay evil for evil. They are to do what is right and live at peace with everyone. Vengeance belongs to God; instead, believers are to overcome evil with good.

💡 Memory Verse

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! – Romans 11:33

🔎 Reflection

Living in Harmony (12:15–18)

Paul reminds his readers of the importance of not only rejoicing with those who rejoice but also mourning with those who mourn. They are to forsake conceit and readily associate with other believers, regardless of social class or background. Lastly, Paul encourages them to do their utmost to pursue peace. We are demonstrating God’s love when we are able to enjoy the happy times together and also support one another through difficult times. We should live in harmony with one another and not allow unnecessary conflict to arise in our communities. Finally, we should not resort to doing evil ourselves when someone has committed evil against us. We are to live by God’s standards, taking care to do what is right and living at peace with everyone.

What conflicts are most common in your church? Reflect on ways that could promote greater harmony and ask for the Spirit to guide His people toward peace, empathy, and understanding.

Overcoming Evil with Good (12:19–21)

Paul tells the Romans that God is just, and they can leave any punishment up to Him. Instead of focusing on avenging themselves, they are to respond with gracious actions, feeding their enemies when they are hungry and giving them something to drink when they are thirsty. When someone has wronged us, we might be tempted to take revenge, but God claims vengeance as His. For our part, responding with unexpected and undeserved care makes those who wronged us feel as though burning coals are on their heads. They recognize even more intensely the sinful actions they have committed. In this way, we overcome their evil with good.

Remember a time when someone acted unjustly toward you. Ponder how you might respond differently based on this passage.

🌟 Today’s Inspiration

“In all suffering the cup of gall will be offered to our lips. We who have drunk from the cup of life must seek no comfort in that caustic drink. . . . The bitter thirst of injustice is only quenched with the living water of the gospel.” – Jen Wilkin

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess that I am sometimes inclined to take revenge against those who have committed evil against me. I leave the retribution to You. In my own actions, help me overcome evil with good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

🖋 Essay

A Diverse Portrait

In one sense, a church consisting of people from the same race, background, and social class seems logical; people are often drawn to those who are similar to them, to those who share the same language, culture, style, and struggles. The leadership of such a church may also have an easier time preaching and pastoring because the crowd is largely the same rather than a heterogeneous group with various issues.

Yet, God is not limited to one type of person, and churches that do have a broad mix of people can reflect His kingdom better. At times, they may experience more clashes and conflict because of their differences, but those who are intentional in rejoicing together, mourning together, and living in harmony can help one another to become more like Christ. Because they are different, they have a mixed combination of strengths and weaknesses that helps them sanctify one another.

In my own church, a diverse group of families and students worship together. Newborn babies and teenagers sit alongside senior citizens, and multiple nations are represented. Sometimes it is more difficult to relate in conversations between radically different people or when the message for the day is geared toward a certain group. However, I love that I can always find a person to talk to regarding almost any issue, and that I get to see and participate in the glorious portrait of a beautiful range of God’s creation praying and praising Him together each week.

Written by Ahreum Kim