“Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil;
hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal;
be ardent in spirit;
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope;
be patient in affliction;
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice;
weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another;
do not be arrogant,
but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God,
for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’
Instead, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
–Romans 12:9-21 (NRSVue)
Activity
Romans 12:9-21 in the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) is titled “Marks of the True Christian.” Some think of this section of scripture as a recipe for Christian living, or perhaps for behavior that makes for righteous human society.
Take time to read and savor each phrase, one at a time. If that will take too long for your day today, return to this list over the next few days.
What would your life look like if you could fully live out each of ingredients in the recipe?
How would you be different?
How would the world be different, if we all behaved this way?