To Be Least

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12)

      These verses are very straight forward. We are to hate evil, love each other, serve others, share, and be hospitable. It goes on, we are to bless those who persecute us, be humble, and not conceited. When someone does us wrong, do not respond by doing them wrong, for it is God's to revenge.
      We are to be witnesses on this earth, we are to be the light. How can we do this if we, ourselves, are full of darkness. If we are to be witnesses to the truth, we must also live according to the truth.
      In the same way, if how can we teach and offer biblical advice to our brothers and sisters in Christ if we are not walking in obedience. As Jesus taught, "How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Luke 6:42)

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." (1 Peter 1:15)