… rejoicing in hope, enduring in distress, persisting in prayer … Romans 12:12, TLV
Finish the Sentence. Not reading the whole sentence, or verse in context is like a child only hearing, “You can have ice cream …” without listening to the rest of their mother’s sentence, “… if you finish your dinner.” Let’s read today’s whole
sentence, shall we? “Keep serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, enduring in distress, persisting in prayer, contributing to the needs of the kedoshim [saints, a.k.a. other believers and followers of the Messiah], extending hospitality.” (vss. 11-13, TLV)
I’m sorry for sounding like a broken record, but context is important.
Of course the portion of the sentence in verse 12 has value by itself, because when we rejoice, endure, and are persistent, our faith is strengthened. The reason context is important is this:
… contributing to the needs of the kedoshim, extending hospitality. (vs. 13, TLV)
Our faith journey isn’t just about us. It is also about extending beyond ourselves to others, beginning with our fellow brothers and sisters in faith. “Contributing to the needs” isn’t always about money. It’s also about time, service, and just being kind. And hospitality is part of that.
Making a meal. Treating folks like kings and queens. Not so that they will reciprocate, in fact we’re called to give hospitality to those who can’t return the kindness in the same way (Luke 14:13).
So, the reason why…
Context in this situation is all about looking inward and outward. Inward at own spiritual needs and shortcomings, and outward to helping our brothers and sisters. Maybe, just maybe, when we do, our needs and shortcomings aren’t quite as big as we thought they were.
