Most of you will remember that we are dealing with the 12th chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans,

and that we have arrived at verses 11 and 12 in that chapter.

Verses 11 and 12 in the 12th chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans.

Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the law, rejoicing in hope,

patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Now, you will recall that here the

apostle is giving a whole series of injunctions to these Christian

people, the members of the Church at Rome, and these are injunctions therefore for all of us.

Having reminded them in the first two verses of the great foundation principles which govern the whole of Christian conduct and

behavior. He's then gone on to apply those principles in two main respects. From verse

three to verse nine, from verse three to verse eight, we saw that he was dealing chiefly with

the Christian in the matter of his exercising

of the spiritual gifts that are given to God's people in the church.

That's the theme of that section.

But then in verse 9, he comes to these more general matters in which he deals with the Christian in his relationship

with other people and as he is living the Christian life. And again, let me remind you, he has

laid down two big principles in the ninth verse. Here again are two things that govern the whole

of our conduct as Christian people. love, the principle of love.

Love is the fulfillment of the law. Our Lord sums up the whole of the law of Moses in loving God

with all our heart and soul and mind and strength and our neighbor as our self. If we were filled with love, most of the practical problems in relationships and in conduct

would automatically be solved.

And the other is that we must not only avoid that which is evil, we must hate it, abhor that

which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

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