Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good (Rom. 12:9-21).
We are to have genuine love for all members of the Christian community and think more highly of others than we think of ourselves, as serving the Lord with zeal requires. Christians should not be conceited but respect each other and associate with each other. The Christian community should persevere in prayer and, “Endure their trials with patience focusing on the ultimate goal of the coming of the Lord (Js. 5:7).” Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you (Mt. 5:44).” Christians should pursue only the good and neither desire revenge not actively seek revenge but leave retribution to God who repays all according to their deeds (Deut. 32:35; Ben Sira 35:24).
Almighty God, fill our hearts with Christian love that we may love as you want us to love and pursue only the good. Strengthen us so that we may not return evil for evil out of vengeance but bear wrongdoing with patient endurance with the sure and certain hope that each one will be rewarded by God according to his/her deeds. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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