Scripture:
Romans 12:9, 10, 13
Wed, 3 May 2023

Loving One Another Within the Church (1)

Observation:

According to verses 10 and 13, what would a church that is acting in love
together look like?

Deeper Reflection
Our genuine love is to be directed, next, towards other Christians. In verse 10a, the Greek word philostorgos (ESV: “love”; NASB: “be devoted to”) typically describes parental love, while philadelphia (ESV: “brotherly affection”; NASB: “brotherly love”) designates love between siblings. Both words originally denote familial blood relationships, but Paul applies them here to the mutual affection within God’s family.10Paul also exhorts us in verse 10b to show mutual honour, giving credit to others over ourselves. This may mean either to “take the lead in honoring one another” (CSB), or to “give preference to one another in honor” (NASB).11 Elsewhere, Paul instructs Christians to “in humility consider others as more important than yourselves” (Phil 2:3b CSB; “count others more significant than yourselves”, ESV).Generosity moves us to “share with God’s people who are in need” (v.13a, NIV). Indeed, the Jerusalem church “had all things in common” and believers willingly sold private possessions and distributed the proceeds to all “as any had need”12. The church in Antioch also gave, “everyone according to his ability”, to the needs of believers in Judea.13Hospitality ministers to visitors. In verse 13b, “to show hospitality” is translated from the Greek word philoxenia, literally “love of strangers”. As inns were few in Paul’s time, it was crucial for believers to open their homes to travelling visitors, especially Christian missionaries, providing food and shelter without charge. Christians must pursue hospitality – gladly, not grudgingly (as may have sometimes occurred, see 1 Pet 4:9).14When we practise mutual affection, mutual honour, generosity and hospitality within the church, we are acting in love together as one family in God.
10 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 331 11 This exhortation, in its original language, can be read either way, both correctly. 12 Acts 2:44-45; also 4:32, 34-37. 13 Acts 11:27-30. 14 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 332; also Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, 779-780.
Application:

In what ways do I need to grow in showing affection, honour, generosity and
hospitality to fellow Christians?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To show mutual affection and honour, and genuine generosity and hospitality, in relating with one another and sharing our lives across generations
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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