Romans 12:13-14 - Homiletics

Treatment of friends and foes.

Christianity is a practical religion. The New Testament is not simply a repertory of general principles; it draws out those Divine principles into the detailed duties and difficulties of daily life. For example, whilst love is the new commandment of Jesus to his disciples, and whilst love is described as the sum of the Divine Law, as the greatest of the virtues, as the bond of perfectness, we are shown how to manifest love in the occupations and relationships of daily existence. In this passage we learn how the Spirit of Christ will govern our conduct both to friends and to foes.

I. CHRISTIAN TREATMENT OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDS . In the first age of the gospel there were formed, in the cities of the empire, societies professing to trust Christ as the Divine Saviour, and to obey Christ as the Divine Lord. In many respects the proceedings and habits of the members of these societies differed from those of the people around, and this with a profound and wide difference. This is exemplified in these admonitions.

1. Charity should be exhibited to those in need. In every community there were the very poor, the aged, the infirm and disabled, the oppressed and persecuted, the widows and orphans. "The poor ye have always with you." Among the heathen it was too common to treat these classes with contempt and neglect. Christianity introduced a better mode of dealing with the necessitous. Teaching the brotherhood of men in Christ, it encouraged the sentiment of community, and led each practically to share with his neighbour the good of this world.

2. Hospitality is another form of the same virtue. By this is not meant sumptuous banquets, often given for ostentation and for purposes of policy. But in early times Christians would often come as strangers to a town, it might be in pursuit of work, it might be to escape from persecution, it might be as the bearers of messages of greeting and sympathy. Accordingly, we find some Christians commended for receiving such into their houses and entertaining them, and we find admonitions to others to adopt such a practice—the encouragement being added, "Forget not to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

3. The motive and model of such conduct are to be found in the Lord Jesus himself. His very coming to this world was occasioned by his compassion upon our necessities: how much more his sacrifice and redemption! Look at his example; and you find him and his disciples keeping a bag, and from their slender store relieving the poor; you find him providing bread for hungering multitudes; you find him healing the sick and helpless; you find him inviting young men to visit and to converse with him. After his ascension, Christ's followers, under the influence of the Spirit poured out from on high, imitated their Lord's example. Officers were appointed in the societies for the ministration of alms; gifts were voluntarily made for the support of the poor; collections were made for indigent fellow-Christians; men were raised up whose ministry as hosts was deemed worthy of apostolic approval. All this was the working of Christ in the community; and in proportion as Christ lives in your hearts will you follow these examples.

4. Wisdom and discretion are needed in the fulfilment of these honorable duties. Circumstances differ as the state of society changes. Impostors abound. Indolence must not be countenanced. Each Christian must be guided in the exercise of charity and hospitality by his means and by his opportunities.

II. CHRISTIAN TREATMENT OF FOES . Those who curse, revile, calumniate, injure them, Christians are bound, as followers of Christ, to bless, to pray for, and to benefit.

1. Christ himself has commanded such conduct. There can be no doubt that the sermon on the mount was well known to Paul, and that he was quoting from it here.

2. Christ himself has exemplified it. In his life he never injured those who hated him, but rendered, contrariwise, blessing. When he came to die, he furnished the most amazing and Divine instance the world has ever known of returning good for evil. He prayed for and forgave his murderers; further than this he could not have gone. And. "he has left us an example that we should follow in his steps."