God’s Love In The World of Unbelievers

About this sermon

Introduction: We come to the end of our study of this tremendous section, Romans 12:9-21. We said that this section can be divided into four parts. In verse 9 we saw the personal commitments of love. In verses 10-13 we saw how love is lived out in the family of God. In verses 14-16 the scope of application broadens out to include relationships both inside the church and outside the church. It examines relationships in general. And now, in our verses today, we see a focus on a specific expression of the love of God. How does the love of God respond to the hostility of an unbelieving world? I would stress that what is in view here is not just relating to the world in general. It is, specifically, how we relate to the world’s hostility. Just notice what is under consideration here. *How does the believer respond to evil treatment? (v.17) *How does the believer deal with discord? (v.18) *How does the believer respond to the temptation to get revenge? (v.19) *How does the believer respond to the needs of enemies? (v.20) *How does the believer respond to evil treatment? (v.21) Every verse in this section has to do with the believer’s response to unbelievers, and specifically a response to the HOSTILITY of unbelievers. So, before we look at the specifics, let’s just take note of a couple of expectations and principles that undergird this teaching. TWO BIBLICAL ASSUMPTIONS: ASSUMPTION #1 - THE BELIEVER IS GOING TO MEET WITH HOSTILITY FROM THE UNBELIEVING WORLD Why are we being told what to do in response to hostility? We are taught how to respond to hostility because we can expect hostility. Sometimes the hostility will be mild, sometimes the hostility may be severe, but believers can expect hostility. SOME OF THE HOSTILITY IS SIMPLY THE RESULT OF LIVING AMONG FALLEN HUMANITY. People are not just hostile to Christians; people are hostile in general. ESV Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. SOME OF THE HOSTILITY WILL BE GOSPEL SPECIFIC. ESV 1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. ESV John 15:18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ESV John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Topics

• Love & Compassion