Victory in the Holy Life

The holy life is ultimately a victorious life. Living in victory means overcoming all sorts of obstacles to peace and joy in your life. The last half of Romans 12 presents us with a series of counterintuitive instructions that actually bring that joy and peace to your life. This is the last in a series on living a holy life. Here is part one, which is the foundation on which everything is built. Without following the guidance in Romans 12:1-2, every other verse in this chapter is not ultimately possible or effective. Part two and part three of the series will bring you up to this final section. Read those first if you haven’t already.

Reverse your thinking

We know what we normally do when we face opposition. We fight back, or we avoid.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Romans 12:14 (ESV)

When we bless those who persecute us, we refuse to allow them to steal our joy! Blessing those around us spreads joy and peace. These things invariably come back to bless us. Living in the power of the Spirit allows us to bless in the face of opposition.

Get along

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 12:15-16 (ESV)

It seems natural to envy those who are experiencing great joy. We also have trouble identifying with those who are experiencing great pain and sorrow. Yet, we are instructed to identify with these and join in their extreme emotions!

Living in harmony does not mean we always agree rather that our minor disagreements make beautiful music. In harmony, the notes played are different than the melody, so too can we live with those whose ideas and views differ from ours.

Finally, we treat everyone alike, with respect and kindness, certainly not thinking more of ourselves than we ought.

Make peace

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 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.”

Romans 12:17-20 (ESV)

This section is summed up like this: make every effort to get along. Refuse to engage in conflict. Most of the time this is entirely possible. Our goal in every relationship and in every encounter with others should be understand, listen and enrich that relationship or encounter.

Overcome

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 (ESV)

Protesting the evil in the world or in our culture is almost worthless. Instead, we should be actively and aggressively engaged in doing good. When we are busy doing good, we inspire others to follow our example, we change the lives of those recipients of our efforts and we shine the light of Jesus on those around us.

Here’s how

All of these things seem impossible, but the holy life is the life we are called to live. It is achievable when you start with this.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

Why wait? Do it now and then begin to experience the accomplishment of the goals that lead to a holy life as outlined in this chapter!