First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome, specifically chapter 12:9-11, gives believers clear instruction on what their conduct should look like when it comes to fellow believers and also those in unbelief. Let’s review those verses. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Paul continues in verse 12 saying, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”

The apostle Paul speaks to us of rejoicing, or being joyful in our hope. What hope are we taking joy in? In Luke 10:20 we get the answer, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you (Jesus had given the apostles authority over all the powers of the enemies) but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” The hope believers have is not simply hoping for something, yet further, of a surety, a confidence of our place in heaven. Remember in John 14:2b, Jesus told us, “I go to prepare a place for you.” This is the hope that we rejoice in, that brings great joy despite our tribulations.

Paul continues by instructing us to be “patient in tribulation” meaning to “persevere” through those difficult times. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul tells us not only to be patient in our troubles, but to also glory in them. Let’s look at those Scriptures, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, (why?) knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, (endurance, patience) and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” The hope, a surety of that heavenly mansion Christ promised us in John 14:1-2, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings); if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Then Paul tells us to “continue steadfastly in prayer.” Prayer is a personal link we have as believers with the Lord who sits at the right hand of God, interceding for each one of us to the Father. Prayer is the process that gives us the power to preserve and endure the difficult trials, tribulation, and testing we will encounter as believers in Christ.

In verse 13 the apostle Paul continues his instruction, “distributing to the needs of the saints, (fellow believers) given to hospitality.” Remember in verse 10, Paul wrote, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” Being hospitable to one another in the faith is the message here, but we as followers of Jesus must take these instructions from the apostle Paul beyond the body of believers, and to those in unbelief also, how else are we to fulfill the great commission of taking the gospel, the good news to those who need to hear. Jesus, just before he ascended to heaven spoke these words to his disciples, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name “to all the nations,” beginning in Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things,” (Luke 24:46-48).

Rejoicing in our hope, showing patience in tribulations, praying continually, meeting the needs of others first, and being given to hospitality are all traits that born again believers should exhibit, but our greatest love for others is exhibited in us taking the good news to those who haven’t heard.

If you wish to speak to someone at the church or if you have a need, please call the First Christian Church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a recorded message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.