Category Archives: Love

Roman man pointing and scolding a kneeling young man in tattered clothing in an ancient courtyard
Love, Bible, Scripture, Evil, Respect, Romans

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

ROMANS 12:17

“Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people.”

When I read today’s verse, I instantly thought of one my memory passages from our Every Man A Warrior study. 1 Peter 3:8-9 says, “8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.” Isn’t that a fitting passage to begin our look at Romans 12:17?

As Paul continues to give us practical, everyday guidelines as believers, he directs us to do things today. One – never repay evil for evil and two – respect what is right. Those are a couple of good suggestions, don’t you think? Both of these are in the Present Tense so we should be doing this all the time, not just once or twice. They should be our lifestyle of dealing with others.

APPLICATION

The word “repay” is the Greek word apodidómi which literally means to deliver or make a payment. Even when people do evil against us it does not give us a free pass to do evil to them. Don’t forget the culture in which Paul is writing. The Roman rule over Christians was harsh. Many of the early believers were slaves to hard masters. I am sure some lay in bed at night thinking of ways to pay back their masters for their horrible treatment. So, Paul was addressing a real world problem. Paul uses the same word in 1 Thessalonians 5:15. “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.”

Then Paul says to “respect what is right.” The word “respect” is pronoéō which means “to think (plan) before, showing necessary forethought to act properly (in God’s will).” (HELPS Word-studies). It’s also used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:21. “for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of other people.” Paul uses it again in 1 Timothy 5:8 to admonish the man who does not care for his family. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Repay appropriately and respect appropriately. Are we doing that to those who wish us evil, to those who treat us harshly, to those who ignore and shun us? I never said it was easy, but it is possible or the Lord would not have told us to do it. Right? So, dust yourself when they knock you down and pray. God will give you the ability to do whatever He asks of you.

Lord, You ask some hard things of us at times, but I know with Your power I am able to do it.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Three generations of family hugging on a couch by a fireplace
Bible, Devotion, Family, Honor, Love, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture

DEVOTED AND ESTEEMING

ROMANS 12:10

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,”

Family is important. We should always show honor and love to our parents and children, grandparents and siblings. It’s just the right thing to do. I can look back at my life and see times when I wasn’t so devoted or didn’t show proper honor. I am sorry now because in some of those cases, I can’t make it right. Those family members have passed away. For instance, I wish I had spent more time with my paternal grandmother and great grandmother. They both loved Jesus. I know that now.

Today’s verse is a great memory verse. Why don’t we all commit to memorizing this one? I have already done that with some other brothers. Paul continues in this verse to give us some very practical and down to earth guidance for our walk with Christ and others. Don’t forget that every word Paul writes he has received from God through the Holy Spirit. We are not just reading Paul’s words. They are God’s words spoken to us through the hand of a man.

APPLICATION

I wanted to concentrate on the two verbs in todays’ verse – “be devoted” and “give preference.” Both of these verbs are only used right here in today’s verse. Isn’t that interesting? The first one, “be devoted,” is the Greek word philóstorgos “(from phílos, ‘lover, friend’ and storgē, ‘natural or family love’) – properly, a lover of family. Philóstorgos (‘devoted love, shown by family-members’) is that special affection shared between members of God’s family – people born-again (divinely adopted) and serving the same (heavenly) Father!” (HELPS Word-studies) That’s pretty clear, huh? Instead of trying to find fault in our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to be affectionately bonded to them.

The second verb, “give preference,” is the Greek word proēgéomai. Again, it is only used here in Romans 12:10. I love what the Topical Lexicon said about this verb. “The term … carries the idea of stepping forward first so that others may be elevated. It describes an intentional initiative that puts another believer’s worth ahead of one’s own, not by passive acceptance but by active, deliberate action.” Wouldn’t the church be so much better off if we all did that?

Now, put those two verbs together. Paul is telling us to love each other so well that we are always looking to put others first. Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did? Jesus tells us in John 15:13 that we can show no greater love than to lay down our lives for our friends. That doesn’t just mean physically die for someone. Jesus means to sacrifice for others. Can we do that for each other today?

Lord, I need Your help to do what You have asked me to do. I am willing, but my flesh is weak.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Add sign reading Love Evil Good
Bible, Choices, Evil, Good, Love, Romans, Scripture

CHOOSE WHAT IS GOOD!

ROMANS 12:9

“Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.”

We make a lot of choices in our lives, don’t we? Some of those choices end up being very good and others not so good. We choose colleges, houses, spouses and careers. But God gives us some guidelines on how to make the right choices in His Word. In today’s verse, we will see the right choices to make time and time again.

Paul abruptly changes subjects from spiritual gifts to practical guidelines for Christian living. Wait a minute – isn’t that what exhortation is? Paul is actually exhibiting one of the gifts he just listed by giving us some great tips on how to live for Christ in the remainder of chapter 12. These are going to be fun to examine, so hang on over the next couple of weeks in this blog.

APPLICATION

MacLaren says this about Paul’s description of the kind of love we are to show to one another. “Love stands at the head and is the fontal source of all separate individualized duties. Here Paul is not so much prescribing love as describing the kind of love which he recognizes as genuine, and the main point on which he insists is sincerity.”  The Greek word for “free of hypocrisy” means to not act like a phony, no hidden agendas. That’s pure love. We see that same word used in 2 Corinthians 6:6 where it says, “in genuine love.”

Then Paul tells us to “detest what is evil.” Well, that’s pretty direct. What a great choice for us to make! The Greek word for “detest” is apostugeó which is only used here in the New Testament. It literally means to utterly hate or abhor. In this day we in which we are living, we are surrounded by evil. It seems the world is embracing evil as an actual choice today.

Paul goes on to say, “cling to what is good.” I love that, don’t you? My two youngest grandchildren cling to Papa and Nana whenever we hold them. They have a tight grip on us, so as not to fall. The Greek word for “cling” means “to glue.” It’s the same word used by Jesus when He says in Matthew 19:5 for a man to be “joined” to his wife. Glue yourself to good!

What great practical advice for us as followers of Christ! Love genuinely, hate evil and glue yourself to good. Do you think you can make those choices? God does!

I praise You, Lord, for giving us such wise counsel in Your Word.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Faithfulness, Hosea, Love, Redemption, Romans, Scripture

REDEEMING LOVE

ROMANS 9:25

“as He also says in Hosea: ‘I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, “MY PEOPLE,” AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, “BELOVED.”’”

In the book of Hosea, we have a beautiful picture of God’s redeeming love for a nation. He used the prophet Hosea to show how Israel had treated Him and how He in turn would restore her. In fact, there was a movie made a few years ago called, “Redeeming Love.” If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to take the time. It’s a modern day portrayal of this story that paints a clear picture of God’s love for Israel.

Paul quotes from Hosea in today’s verse. In fact, Hosea 2:23 reads in full, “‘I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, “You are My people!” And they will say, “You are my God!”’” Earlier in Hosea 1, Gomer (Hosea’s wife) had given birth to three children, which were named Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah (no mercy) and Lo-ammi (not my people). God changes the names of the last two to Ruhammah (mercy) and Ammi (My people) and sends Hosea to redeem Gomer back to himself.

APPLICATION

What’s the point of Paul’s words today and the reference to Hosea? God takes the outcasts and makes covenant with them. In our case, He cut covenant with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We were no better than the adulterous prostitute Gomer before Christ. We did not deserve His sacrifice. We did not merit redemption. But He chose us before the foundation of the earth to be His.

Have you stopped lately to consider what God gave up for us? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” Romans 5:8 tells us, “God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Do I need to go on? Do you need more reminding of the depths of His love for you? He loves you with an everlasting love. And He has redeemed you from an everlasting damnation.

What did Hosea expect from Gomer in return for her redemption? Her love and faithfulness. Isn’t that all God expects from us? John says, “We love, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Paul said earlier in Romans 1:17, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Can you love Him? Can you be faithful to Him? That’s all He requires, but it will cost you everything. All you have belongs to Him. And in return, He makes you joint-heirs of His kingdom alongside His Son. Praise be to God!

Thank You, Lord, for redeeming me from the depths of despair and setting me on a firm foundation.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Demonstration, Hard, Love, Power, Romans, Scripture

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE POWER

ROMANS 9:17

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘FOR THIS VERY REASON I RAISED YOU UP, IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE EARTH.’”

In today’s verse we have an illustration of God’s supreme power over even the vilest of people (more on that later). I believe the sovereignty of God is the most important attribute of God. Everything else in life hinges on that belief. If I live my life thinking there is some other force that can determine my journey, I am greatly disillusioned. God will use anything or anyone He chooses to accomplish His will. Hey, He used a talking donkey, didn’t He?

Pharaoh was an evil man. God didn’t make him evil, but He used Pharaoh in such a way that his own evil nature was exposed. Albert Barnes says this. “neither Pharaoh nor any sinner can justly blame God for placing them in circumstances where they shall develope their own character, and show what they are. It is not the fault of God, but their own fault. The sinner is not compelled to sin; nor is God under obligation to save him contrary to the prevalent desires and wishes of the sinner himself.” God simply exposes our sins!

APPLICATION

The term “raised you up” in today’s verse does not mean that God decided to create an evil ruler in Egypt to suppress His people. It means God sustained Pharaoh in order to expose his true evil nature. When we read in the Exodus passage about Pharaoh, we are often confused by the term that God hardened his heart. Ellicott’s Commentary explains this well. “The verb is intransitive, and ‘Pharaoh’s heart’ is its nominative case. Translate, ‘Pharaoh’s heart hardened itself.’” There you have it.

God, being God, knew how Pharaoh was going to respond to the request to let His people go. He knew Pharaoh would harden his heart against Him. Even after he cried out in pain due to the loss of his son, Pharaoh was still hardened against God. You would have thought he would soften. But no! Not Pharaoh. After all, he was worshipped as a god by the people of Egypt. Why would he bow his knee to God?

But God did use Pharaoh to demonstrate His power to the world. Only God could have done what He did. Now listen, only God could do what He did in our hearts. He softened them. He tenderized them with His Spirit. The moment we responded to the wooing of the Spirit, the draw of God, He made our hearts cling to His. What a powerful demonstration of God. We saw earlier in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Now that’s power!

Thank You, Lord, for demonstrating Your love for me. What a powerful display of Your mighty acts.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Compassion, Favor, Love, Mercy, Romans, Scripture

MERCY AND COMPASSION

ROMANS 9:15

“For He says to Moses, ‘I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL SHOW COMPASSION TO WHOMEVER I SHOW COMPASSION.’”

I don’t know about you, but I have certainly been the recipient of mercy and compassion at times. People who did not have to give it showed those to me. Usually, I was in a place of desperation or turmoil, and they showed up to help me. It was undeserved but certainly appreciated. Those of you have received likewise can relate.

In today’s verse Paul quotes again from the Old Testament, this time from Genesis 33:19. To get the full picture of what is happening here, you need to go read Deuteronomy 33:12-23. It’s a beautiful exchange between God and Moses. Verse 19 follows right after Moses asks to see God’s glory. This is what God said to him before He told Moses He would cover him with His hand while Moses stood in the cleft of the rock as He passed by. “And He said, ‘I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.’” Let’s look at the meaning of these words, “mercy” and “compassion” in today’s verse by Paul.

APPLICATION

I am going back to the Deuteronomy passage to see the original words used there. Hanan is the word translated as “mercy” by Paul. It “expresses the free, heartfelt inclination of a superior to show favor, compassion, or generosity to one in need. The emphasis lies on unearned mercy, not contractual obligation. Whenever the verb appears, the recipient stands in dependence; the giver, most frequently the Lord, acts out of His own character.” (Topical Lexicon)

And the word translated as “compassion” is an absolute beautiful word. It is the Hebrew word racham. Once again, I am quoting from the Topical Lexicon. “Racham expresses deep, tender affection that issues in concrete acts of kindness.  The term denotes far more than momentary pity; it conveys steadfast, covenant-grounded mercy that moves the heart to intervene for the helpless.” This word is “linked to rechem, ‘womb’, the verb paints a picture of the protective, nurturing compassion a mother has for an infant.”

Wow! Do you see that? It’s as if God is bending down (a superior to an inferior) and scooping us up in His arms. When I bend down to pick up my grandchildren I exhibit those traits as well. When I lend a hand to someone in need, I do the same. To whom can you show hanan and racham today? It is not beneath you to do so. God will use you to show His own hanan and racham to others. Let Him use you.

Lord, I do not deserve Your mercy and compassion, but it is certainly appreciated.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Chosen, Hate, Hatred, Love, Relationships, Romans, Scripture

HATE IS A STRONG WORD

ROMANS 9:13

“Just as it is written: ‘JACOB I HAVE LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED.’”

We’ve all said it. “I hate…” The comment could be directed at something or someone. I’ve said it many times. For instance, I hate brussel sprouts, lol. But I have also said that I hate certain people. Now, let me say quickly that happened mostly when I was a child. But I have to be honest and say it has slipped out of my mouth as an adult also. I have confessed that as sin and asked for forgiveness. So, when you see the word “hate” in Scripture, it can give you pause.

Paul quotes in today’s verse from Malachi 1:2-3. “2 ‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have You loved us?’ ‘Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?’ declares the LORD. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob; 3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.’” Don’t think for a second, though, that God actually hated Esau. This was a common Hebraic expression of “lesser love.” You can find other examples of things God hates, but Esau wasn’t one of them.

APPLICATION

One good example of this expression is found in Proverbs 13:24. “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Withholding the rod and spoiling the child can look like hatred, in that it does not teach the child right from wrong. I’ve seen parents do that with disastrous consequences. They really loved their child but failed to train them properly.

Even Jesus used this comparison in Luke 14:26. “‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.’” Jesus wasn’t implying we should hate our family in order to follow Him. That would be the furthest thing from Jesus’ mind. But in comparison to the love we should have for Him, our love for our family would look like hate.

Barnes explains this “hatred” this way. “It was common among the Hebrews to use the terms ‘love’ and ‘hatred’ in this comparative sense, where the former implied strong positive attachment, and the latter, not positive hatred, but merely a less love, or the withholding of the expressions of affection.” Do you love Jesus so much that all other love relationships you have appear as hatred? Hmmm. Let’s all examine ourselves in this manner.

Father, help me love You so deeply that all other relationships look like hatred. Nothing compares to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Father, Love, Romans, Scripture, Separation

THE LOVE OF GOD

ROMANS 8:39

“nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We throw around the word “love” so flippantly, don’t we? Our love of things can lead us into disaster. Our love for the wrong person can also cause us pain and suffering emotionally. Love is such a critical part of the human experience, yet we misuse it so often. Children need to be taught to love. For that matter, some adults do also. Loving well is something we can all get better at.

So, when Paul switches from the “love of Christ” in verse 35 to the “love of God” in today’s verse, that caught my attention. Is there a difference? Why did the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to change this love statement? I love how the Cambridge Bible explains this. “The ‘love of Christ’ is the Divine Love felt for us by the Eternal Son. And this, because He is the Eternal Son, is also the Divine expression of the love felt for us by the Eternal Father, who ‘sent His Son to be the Propitiation for our sins,’ and, in giving His Son, gave His Son’s love to be our bliss and light.”

APPLICATION

We can find passages all throughout the Bible of “the love of God.” Take a look at some of them.

1 John 4:9 “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.”

Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

I could go on and list hundreds of other verses on the love of God, but you need to do your own study on that. Just do a google search on verses about the love of God. You could probably spend weeks on that study. But all the study in the world does not matter if we are not showing God’s love to others. That is why He gave us His love. He wants to use us as His vessels of love to others.

Share His love with someone this week. I am going to be traveling some in the next several days and am praying for opportunities to do that. Sometimes those pop up when you least expect it. Be ready to show it to others.

Lord, I know I did nothing to deserve Your love but You chose to show me Yours. I love because You first loved me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Abundance, Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Comfort, Grace, Leftovers, Love, Overflowing, Scripture

OVERFLOWING

ROMANS 5:15

“But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.”

I have been the recipient of extreme blessings in my past. During both of my health crises, family and friends stepped up and helped us financially. I remember there was one Sunday School class that took up over $2700 to help with our expenses. I had others who sent checks for $500 or $300. These were all gifts that were unsolicited – just given liberally. We were overwhelmed and so thankful to them and our Savior.

Paul uses a word for “overflow” that is used almost 40 times in the New Testament. The Greek word is perisseuó which means “to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous.” (Lexical Summary) It gives us a picture of receiving above and beyond what we could ever expect. That’s our God. He blows our doors off!

APPLICATION

This is the word used by the Gospel writers when they described the leftover fragment of fish and bread that the disciples gathered following the feeding of the 4000 and 5000. It said the baskets overflowed. Not only did Jesus take a little and make a lot, but He also provided leftovers. Come on now, who doesn’t like leftovers?

In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, Paul instructs the believers “and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;” Okay now, get that picture in your head of the disciples’ baskets overflowing with fish and bread and apply that to the love you overflow to others. Our love should be that way. It should literally overflow.

We’re even told in 2 Corinthians 1:5, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” The word “abundant” is perisseuó once again. Now get the picture: His grace overflows, therefore, our love should overflow, and our comfort should overflow. Can you do that? Can you spill over on others what Christ has given you through His grace? Be a fountain of love and comfort for others?

Father, make me a fountain of love and comfort to others, beginning with my own family.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Demonstration, Love, Sacrifice, Scripture

A DEMONSTRATION

ROMANS 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I can remember going to county fairs or other festivals and watching artisans demonstrate their craft. Some were making candles. Others were doing woodworking. My favorite is watching people cook. It could be fudge or taffy, kettle corn or funnel cakes. Every one of those people were demonstrating their skills which had been honed over many hours.

God also demonstrated something to us, but it wasn’t at a county fair or festival. Long ago on Mt. Calvary, He demonstrated His love for us by delivering up His only Son to die for us so that we might be justified and live with Him forever. All we have to do is accept the gift. The Greek word translated “demonstrates” is sunistémi or sunistanó. I love what the Topical Lexicon says about this word. “God’s attributes are not abstractions; they are verified in history and in the gospel. Because the verb is perfect tense in both verses (Romans 3:5, 5:8), the proof stands completed and enduring—unchangeable evidence for every generation.” God’s demonstration of His love is enduring!

APPLICATION

This Greek word takes another meaning in Colossians 1:17. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” But even in this usage, we see God’s enduring character. He has always held everything together. God isn’t juggling the universe hoping everything will fall into place. NO! He has placed everything in its proper place and holds it together. No matter what science may try to say to you, we know the true Creator.

There is another way sunistanó is used in Scripture. It is used to prove ourselves in our ministry. In 2 Corinthians 4:2 we read, “but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God.” “Commending” is our word there. We have to demonstrate to the world by our actions and behaviors that we are one with Christ.

What are you demonstrating today? Does your lifestyle demonstrate one who is following Jesus? Do your words reflect the Lord? Just as God demonstrated His faithfulness to us, we too need to demonstrate our faithfulness to Him. We should look different, sound different and act different than the world. Put on your own demonstration today.

Lord God, help me demonstrate Your love to a lost and dying world around me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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