Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. –Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Every one of us has to deal with the daily issues that can sometimes become overwhelming.  Even the most mature Christians face difficulties in managing the issues of life without daily reminders of God’s promises.  As I was reading through the scriptures and landed on this familiar passage in Romans 12, I thought about its meaning.  In one of my bibles, this verse is in a section of Romans 12 labeled as “love in action.”  Why did God speak through the Apostle Paul about love in action and then add the words of verse 12 in the middle of these instructions?  What does being “joyful in hope, patient in affliction” and “faithful in prayer” have to do with love in action?  

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. –Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

Let me deal for a moment with “love in action.”  In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is reminding us about one of the driving forces for our faith in God and service to the Lord.  Love is not just something you say you feel.  Love, if it is indeed sincere, should move us to act.  “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…”  (John    3:16)  And in this instance, the reflective nature of God’s love for us should spur us to act out of love for others.  Then, regardless of how people respond to our efforts, love will continue to compel us to act.  Love and kindness and gentleness are crucial to winning others over to Christ.  This is how we can be more effective as a church and as individual Christians. 

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. –2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV)

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy, as well as the book of Romans (his letters to the church there) and 11 other books in the New Testament.  As an apostle, he wrote letters to groups and individuals with the distinct purpose of telling followers of Jesus Christ what they should know and what they should do.  Paul’s writings were divinely inspired by God, and as scripture, we must consider them heavily as Christians.

Now, when Paul wrote to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction” and “faithful in prayer,” he likely included these words because of his experiences.  You see, before his conversion, Saul was a staunch opponent of the Gospel, persecuting and punishing followers of Jesus.  After his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul was converted and subsequently began to experience persecution.  He spent a number of years imprisoned as a result.  Despite all of the difficulties he was experiencing, Paul remained committed to the cause of Christ.  He was absolutely certain of his redemption through Jesus.  That makes this verse an especially encouraging point for us to remember today.  God knows that daily life continues to happen even while we strive to follow Jesus and to share the Gospel with others.  God knows the difficulties we face.  God knows that we can become overwhelmed if we lose sight of Him. 

As Paul is telling the Roman Church some things they should know and some things they should do, his words speak to us today.  Again, in this discourse on “love in action” from Romans 12, Paul is urging us to do something more than our human selves would ordinarily choose, especially when things are tough for everybody.  Still, we are to be joyful in hope, which means to rejoice because we know that our hope is built on the promises of our reliable and trustworthy God.  No matter what the circumstances suggest, we are not to doubt God.  We are to be patient in affliction.  We must hold on and wait on God in times of trouble so that we don’t act unwisely and out of step with the Holy Spirit.  Then, we must be faithful in prayer, communicating with God regularly and often, and not just when we feel like it.  These instructions are for our benefit, to encourage us to never lose sight of our eternal status in Christ even in times like these.  Let us, then, continue to be compelled by love for God and others.  And while we are acting out of this love, let us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.