Category Archives: Love

Judge T.D. Anderson seated at bench with attorneys and courtroom audience during proceedings
Bible, Judging, Judgment, Love, Romans, Scripture

JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD

ROMANS 14:10

“But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God.”

I have only had to appear before a judge in court once. That was for a traffic accident way back in 1984 or 85. I sat in that courtroom for a few hours until my case was called. Then I had to approach the bench, which was at least four feet above me. There the judge sat while the officer gave the details of the accident and said that it was a “no-fault” accident and recommended dismissal. The judge never lifted his eyes from what he was reading. He just banged his gavel and ordered me to pay the fine. The officer shook his head at me, and we walked away.

The judgment seat Paul refers to in today’s verse is the Bema seat. The bema seat was a raised platform which someone had to approach to receive a reward or a punishment. The Topical Lexicon describes it this way. “Paul applies the familiar civic image to Christ’s final evaluation of believers. The context is not condemnation (Romans 8:1) but accountability. Works are tested, motives revealed, and rewards dispensed (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The judicial metaphor lends weight to everyday choices, urging holiness and sincere service.”

APPLICATION

I want all my works to pass the test. I desire they all be done for His glory and not my own. However, I am sure there will be a little smoke when I approach it. Some of the “good” things I have done have not been exactly what He would have had me do. A lot of my worldly achievements will vanish like a vapor. I truly want to lay everything down at His feet and know they are acceptable.

Paul gives this description of believers’ future accountability as he has been discussing how we treat each other. So, this must be a big deal. This must really matter to the Lord. He must really want us to love and respect one another. What do you think? Why else would this be brought up in today’s verse? After all, didn’t Jesus tell us to love another?

So many of our actions are done out of selfishness or jealousy. These can play no part in the life a follower of Christ. Those emotions will lead us to judge each other wrongly and to mistreat others. See your treatment of others as something that must pass the fire test. Will this behavior survive the bema seat? That’s a great question.

Father, help me love in such a way that I know my actions will be meet with approval on that fateful day I appear before 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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Elderly woman sitting in church pew with hands clasped in prayer
Bible, Gratitude, Love, Praise, Romans, Scripture, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Worship

GIVE THANKS TO GOD

ROMANS 14:6

“The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”

Are you a thankful person? Or do you gripe and complain about everything? Usually, people are one or the other. I think I am a pretty grateful person. Often when I stop to think of what God has blessed me with, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have to admit, though, I can gripe sometimes. It’s the age old complaint – why do the wicked prosper? But I have to trust the Lord to provide according to what He has planned for me and be grateful for what I have. Right?

Paul brings up the topic of giving thanks to God in today’s verse in the midst of this discussion about not judging other believers. Forget about the importance or unimportance of certain days. These are the examples Paul is using to teach a bigger truth. Today that is to be grateful to God. I am reminded of Colossians 3:17 which reads, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “gives thanks” is euxaristéō, and it means just that – to be grateful. 25 of the 38 times it is used in the New Testament are at the hand of Paul in his letters. The Topical Lexicon says, “the verb frames gratitude as an intentional God-directed act.” Both times in today’s verse the verb is in the Present Indicative Active. In other words, it is something we should be continually doing.

In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul writes, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,” Shouldn’t that be our response in regard to other believers? Instead of nick picking about unimportant issues, we should be giving thanks they know Jesus. Instead of arguing and judging others in the church, we should be building them up and encouraging them.

We have all been guilty of being ungrateful. Can I get a witness? But we must be more grateful for our fellow believers. As the days get harder and harder for Christians, we are going to need each other more than ever. We can’t let denominational differences or styles of worship separate us. Let us give thanks to God for all He has done in and through us. We are one body – the Body of Christ.

I am grateful, Lord, for all You have done for me and others.

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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Elderly couple planting seedlings in raised garden bed outdoors
Bible, Evil, Love, Neighbors, Romans, Scripture, WRONGS

DO NO WRONG

ROMANS 13:10

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

There are neighbors who just cannot get along. They fight about trees and fences. They even fight about an outside flood light. They say fences make good neighbors. I am not sure about that. Fences divide people. I understand the whole property line thing, but it is not about that. People who fight with their neighbors just want what they want no matter how others feel about it.

Paul has spent the last several verses talking about how to treat others. In today’s verse he kind of wraps up this thought before moving on to some other thoughts for the rest of the chapter (I know, he didn’t write chapters). After telling us to love each other, he says, “Love does no wrong…” the word for “wrong” here is kakos which Strong’s Concordance says means, “worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas poneros properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious — bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.”

APPLICATION

Kakos is a primary word in the New Testament where it is used 50 times. Paul uses it 15 times in Romans alone. But one of the clear pictures of this word is found in 2 Timothy 4:14-15 where Paul uses it again. “14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.”

You see, those who do evil against us are really rebelling against God. If you choose to do wrong to others, you also are disobeying the Lord’s command to love your neighbor. In 1 John 4:20 we are told, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”

Just who is this “brother” or “sister” or “neighbor”? Remember the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s found in Luke 10. Jesus told this story after He was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” The one who showed love was the neighbor. The one who went out of their way, at great personal risks, was the neighbor. Are you that kind of neighbor? Can you love that way? Sure, you can. Let God love through you.

Help me, Lord, to love others as You love them and only seek their good.

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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Young man and elderly woman carrying grocery bags by a car with open trunk
Bible, Commands, Love, Neighbors, Romans, Scripture

TO SUM IT UP

ROMANS 13:9

“For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

How we treat others is evidence of our faith walk. If we live our lives for ourselves disregarding the effect it has on others, I am not sure we are true believers. You have heard people say, “Well, that’s just the way God made me,” to try to justify a negative behavior. That is just a lie from the pit of hell. Excuse my bluntness. But we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Paul sums up the commandments he listed from Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 which have to do with how we treat others. Remember the first four commandments are the vertical commands as they relate to us and God. The remaining six commands are horizontal dealing with others. Paul claims all six can be summed up by Leviticus 19:18 which reads, “You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”

APPLICATION

Paul uses an accounting term which would have been very recognizable to his readers. The Greek word for “summed up” is a cool word, anakephalaíomai. It is used here and in Ephesians 1:10 where Paul writes, “to bring all things together in Christ.” It means to “sum up all the parts as a comprehensive (organized) whole.” (HELPS Word-studies).

All the commands about the horizontal relationships are accomplished as we love our neighbors. For instance, you can’t commit adultery and say you love your neighbor as God does. You surely can’t murder them or steal from them. Even coveting something others have reflects a lack of love for others. Man, this is heavy stuff, isn’t it? But it really quite simple. Love others as God loves them, and you fulfill the law regarding others.

Is there someone you need to love better? Is there someone you have wronged? Make that right. Seek to love them with the love that resides in you as a follower of Christ. Keep your old self dead. It has no place in your life anymore. I didn’t say this was easy. The devil will tempt us all to lash out or show our ugly side. But just remember – Christ resides within you through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Now go love well today.

I will choose today to love my neighbor as myself.

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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Four diverse people smiling and hugging warmly in a sunny park
Bible, Debt, Love, Romans, Scripture

OWE NOTHING BUT LOVE

ROMANS 13:8

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.”

In Luke’s account of Jesus’ instructions to the disciples on how to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) it reads in Luke 11:4, “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” The word “indebted” is the same word used in Romans 13:8 for “owe.” It’s the Greek word opheílō which “refers to being morally obligated (or legally required) to meet an obligation, i.e. to pay off a legitimate debt.” (HELPS Word-studies) Let’s look at our indebtedness.

Paul tells us in today’s verse to NOT be indebted, to NOT owe anyone anything except love. I would love to be completely debt free. But like most people (at least here in the U.S.) I have a house mortgage and some other debts. I am indebted to others to pay off these debts. But there is one debt I should continue to pay – love for one another. After telling us in verse 7 to pay what is due to others, he drives the nail home with this verse. The most important debt to pay is love.

APPLICATION

MacLaren says about this verse, “the debt of love is never discharged. After all payments it still remains owing. There is no paying in full of all demands, and, as Bengel says, it is an undying debt.” The end of today’s verse reminds me of the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:39. He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Do you love yourself? Then love your neighbors as well.

And what is this love with which we are love others? It’s God’s love, of course. If you haven’t discovered it yet, you will. There are some people who are just hard to love. I could name a few, lol. The good news is you don’t have to. What? That’s right. God will love them through you. You just have to die to yourself and allow Him to.

1 John 4:16 tells us, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” If you are a child of God, His love is in you. And if His love is in you, it wants to get out! Let it out. Keep letting it out.

Thank You, Father, for Your love which lives in 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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Roman man pointing and scolding a kneeling young man in tattered clothing in an ancient courtyard
Bible, Evil, Love, Respect, Romans, Scripture

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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