“We are one in the Spirit … 
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) – Romans 12:9-16
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 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; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
New International Version – Romans 12:9-16
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
The Living Bible – Romans 12:9-16
9 Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. 13 When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. 14 If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian, don’t curse him; pray that God will bless him. 15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. 16 Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!
King James Version – Romans 12:9-16
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
New King James Version – Romans 12:9-16
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
…WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD…
Copyrights of Scriptures;
- New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
- The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation.
- King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain
- Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson
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https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12
… AND WE PRAY THAT ALL UNITY MAY ONE DAY BE RESTORED…
93% of all communication is Non-Verbal. Actions speak louder than words. God gave us two ears but only one mouth. A picture is worth a thousands words. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
While these axioms are not gospel, they paint the picture I intended. I love my family and friends. I even use the term loosely as in ‘I love chocolate’. I do not talk about loving my enemy. I do not often choose to weep with those whom are weeping, especially if I don’t have a personal relationship with that person but shy away from that sadness as if it were contagious and deadly.
I am not damned though. These verses are excellent reminders to witness my Christianity through actions, modeling this behavior, especially for my children. They know to come to me for comfort but how often have they seen me comfort a stranger or bless those who treat me with disrespect? I do so in thought and in word but in deed, not so much.
These are the areas that I will aim to work toward in my humility. I share these very personal and private confessions with you as an act of love, my first new step in “Love One Another As I have Loved You” – Jesus
… AND THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE”