Prior to every new year I go through the same routine in my study. I get out my day planner where I write down my plans for the new year as I think through the as-yet unlived span of time that stretches out before me. Some of you may do the same thing. I mark birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, my upcoming travels, courses, races, speaking engagements, and the like. I ask myself, "Lord, how can I make the most of this year for your glory? Would it be possible for you to use me in such a way as to make a difference in other people's lives?" While thinking and praying about all this, I also think about my spiritual goals for the new year. Invariable I turn to a passage in the book of Romans that sets forth what I call "faith" goals or "spiritual" goals for the believer. I realize that 2025 could be the best year of my life spiritually speaking. It could also prove to be a wasted year. It shouldn't surprise us, then, that Paul's letters contain several lists of Christian virtues that describe what it means to say "yes" to the Christ who is calling us to renounce our own fleshly desires and to conform ourselves to his death by daily taking up his cross of sanctification and self-sacrificial service to others. One such list is found in Rom. 12:9-21.
There are two things to observe before we take a look at the list. First, all of these virtues involve choices on our part. We may choose to do these things or not to do them. We can choose to go our own way. This is especially true if you're somewhat successful in ministry or have known the Lord for a long time. You can get to the point where you begin to fake your walk God and simply go through the motions. In fact, the very first thing Paul is going to tell us in this list is that we need to be genuine (12:9). But it's a choice. It's not enforced. You're free not to do it or to live that way.
The second thing to observe is that all of these exhortations are commands or imperatives. This is even true of the Greek participles and adjectives Paul uses in this passage. When in 12:9 he writes (literally) "abhorring what is evil," he means "Abhor what is evil." It's a command. Think of each of these injunctions in 12:9-21 as a "must." You must be patient in trouble. You must not pay back evil with evil. You must be at peace with everyone. And so on.
It may help us to appreciate what Paul says here by calling attention to what he does not say. He does not say you have to be a Baptist. He does not say you have to attend seminary. He does not say you have to have a college degree. He does not say you have to have a high IQ. He does not say you have to be a particular race. He does say you have to be handsome or beautiful. He does not say you have to be a certain age. He does not say you have to speak well in public. He does not say you must have gone to the mission field for 10 years. That's not necessary. That isn't a "must."
What, then, are the things that I must do to be a more devoted follower of Jesus in 2025? Here they are. Because they are so familiar to many of us, I've paraphrased them to make them sound a bit fresher. Please take your time going through them. You might even want to pause after each one and ask yourself, "How am I faring in this area of my walk with the Lord?"
1. When you show love to people, don't just pretend to love them. Be completely sincere.
2. Absolutely abhor what is evil.
3. Hold on tightly to what is good and never let go.
4. Since you all belong to the same family, love one another affectionately.
5. Take delight in honoring each other above yourselves.
6. Never be lazy in your work but always work hard. Be passionate about everything you do.
7. Serve the Lord obediently. When he tells you to do something, don't ask questions. Just do it.
8. When you realize all the good that God is planning for you, be glad.
9. When you experience trouble, endure it patiently.
10. When you pray, always expect God to answer you.
11. When God's people are in need, always be ready to help them.
12. When strangers need a place to stay overnight, welcome them into your home.
13. When people mistreat you and cause you to suffer, ask God to bless them. Yes, ask God to bless them. Don't ask him to make something bad happen to them.
14. When people are joyful, be joyful with them.
15. When people are weeping, weep with them.
16. Don't try to act big or think you're more important than other people. Instead, be willing to associate with ordinary people and do ordinary things. Don't think you know it all or are smarter than others.
17. When someone does something evil to you, don't pay them back with more evil.
18. Always be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
19. Do everything possible on your part to live peaceably with everybody.
20. My dearest friends, when people mistreat you, never take revenge. Instead, leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scripture says, "I will take revenge. I will pay them back." This is what the Lord says.
21. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. If they're thirsty, give them something to drink. By acting toward them in this surprising kind of way, you will make them burn with shame and maybe even help them change their attitudes and actions.
22. Don't be overcome with evil. Instead, overcome evil by doing good.
This list is one reason I love the Bible so much. The Bible is God's way of stepping out of the shadows and making himself known, telling us exactly what he's like, what he's done for us, and what he expects of us (and empowers us to do through his indwelling Holy Spirit). It's my hope that this brief journey through Rom. 12:9-21 will help you better achieve your faith goals in the new year and experience a fuller, richer walk with the Lord than ever before.
Have a wonderful day!