January 29, 2014
THE SUPERPOWER OF LOVE
Romans 12:9-21
Lacey Ames
Central Truth
Sometimes, loving people isn't easy, and it takes superhuman strength.
Key Verse | Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
Romans 12:9-21
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, 1 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 2 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it 3 12:19 Greek give place to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “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 on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Dive Deeper | Romans 12:9-21
Have you ever been asked that age-old question? You know, the one EVERYONE seems to ask: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?" (Wait, was that not the question you were thinking?) My friend, Chris, would tell you right away that he would want to fly. My answer, on the other hand, changes daily. There are too many options! The Free Dictionary (www.thefreedictionary.com) defines superpower as "power greater in scope or magnitude than that which is considered natural or has previously existed."
When I started studying this passage, I couldn't get the idea out of my head that Paul was asking a lot here! Hate evil and love good; be honorable, zealous for the cause, hopeful, patient, and a servant; help the needy; keep the peace -- and that's not even all of it! I'm tired already, and all I did was read! There's no way I could love like this on my own. It would take a superhuman strength, a superpower, if you will.
Now, go back and read the passage again, and this time read it with a superhero mentality. Tap into your inner child. You can do it! Doesn't it sound like it could be a superhero's creed? Maybe it's just the hidden geek in me.
Hollywood seems obsessed with remaking old superhero movies lately. If we're not watching someone turn angry, huge, and green, then someone is at least sporting a mask or wearing a beefed-up squeegee for a shirt. The idea of being honorable, helping others, and beating evil is obviously enticing, or it wouldn't sell. But the overall theme that I think Hollywood misses is that those are acts of love. In our everyday world, we will have opportunities to love like that. We will be given daily chances to choose good over evil and live in harmony with one another. And our greatest weapon is that we DO have a Superhero to turn to, Someone who is always willing to help us with the seemingly impossible superpower of love. Just read the directions and follow His lead.
Discussion Questions
1. If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
2. What are some superpowers that would be useless to have? For example: only flying vertically.
3. Taking from the examples given in verses 9-21, what ways of showing love are you good at? What about your friends and family? Tell them what they are good at!
4. Are there characteristics of love that require superhuman strength, but that you are not asking for God's help with? What are they, and what are ways you can work on them?