- Show zeal, joy, patience and faithfulness: (12:11-12): A believer must serve the Lord, never lacking in zeal, fervent in spirit. the word ‘fervent’ was used for Apollos, a native of Alexandria who came to Ephesus. “He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervour” (Acts18:25). Fervent in other words is burning in spirit which is said about Apollos. In the last days, “because of the wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matt.24:12). The church of Ephesus had left their first love (Rev.2:4). The church of Laodiceans became lukewarm (Rev.3:15). The zeal of God must consume the believers. Further Paul says: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (12:12). We can be joyful in hope because of our hope in Christ, no matter what the afflictions may be. Apostle Peter says: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls ” (1 Pet. 1:6-9). We must continue in prayer to God for wisdom, guidance, and strength.
- Share with the needy: (12:13): “Share with God’s people who are in need,. Practice hospitality.” Christian hospitality is different from social entertainment. The ancient Greek word for ‘hospitality’ is literally translated “love for strangers.” The idea is to pursue people we do not know with hospitality. Our possessions, like the gifts of the Holy Spirit , should be used to serve others. Even if we don’t own a home, we can still be hospitable by inviting others to our homes, having food with them. We can share whatever we have with others who have nothing. This is love in action. This characterized the Jerusalem and Judean believers who were in poverty (Acts 2:44-45). This has motivated the Macedonian and Achaean churches to give cheerfully to support the believers (2 Cor.8:1-2). The believers are to seek opportunities of manifesting the hospitality to their brethren. Apostle John writes: “we ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth” (2 Jn.1:8). “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb.13:2).
- Mourn and weep with them: (12:15): If other Christians are blessed, rejoice with them, rather than being jealous. If they are suffering, empathize with them rather than looking down on them. Let our heart feel for the distressed. By being empathetic to a friend in times of distress, he would reduce a measure of distress feeling of his friend, then his friend does find himself relieved in the same proportion as the other has entered into his grief.
- Live in harmony with them: (12:16): This is more of unanimity, cordiality and harmony in transacting all the business of the church. The believers should be in accordance and not with the different opinions of each other, this of course would be obtained by the divine interference only. It can also be said of same attitude toward one another. Being harmony with one another is the basic concept of being able to empathize with them. Paul extended this idea to the attitudes of the believers saying that “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” It is not thinking highly of ourselves but be willing to associate with people of low position.
How to deal with foes: (12:14, 17-21):
Every true believer who is involved in the ministry will have foes. Here Paul is speaking of those Christians who oppose the ministry for reasons best known to them only. The Lord Jesus had enemies and those who opposed Him are from His own household and from His tribe (Matt.10:36). Apostle Paul had enemies who followed him from city to city in order to disturb him.
- Bless them when they persecute you: (12:14): The apostle exhorts the believers not to react the way the worldly people would do. It is quite natural to get angry but a believer needs to hold it. The OT law stating of eye for eye, tooth for tooth (Exo.21:24) is no longer valid. Jesus in His sermon on the mountain says: “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt.5:39). Here Paul says: “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” A believer must not play God and try to avenge himself. Returning evil for evil, or good for good, is the way most people do. But a believer must live on a higher level and return good for evil. Of course, this requires love and faith believing that God can work and accomplish His win in our lives and in the lives of those who hurt us.