Love Celebrates God’s Goodness to Others

In review of Romans 12:15 it says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep”

Bottom Line:

Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.

What this means to me:

I should be happy with those who are happy, if they are sad, share their sorrow.

Today’s verse comes from Romans 12 that speaks of how to live our lives as living sacrifices. We shouldn't just pretend to love others, we really need to love them. We need to hold on tightly to what is good. Learn to love with genuine affection, taking delight in honoring each other. Learn to rejoice in our confident hope, and to be patient in trouble. When God's people are in need, be ready to help and practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Instead of cursing them, pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with others. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Don't think you know it all.

This verse tells me to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 ESV). While it's easier to weep with those who weep, rejoicing when good things are happening to others is a lot tougher.

When somebody’s having a tough time, it’s easy to be sympathetic. It’s easy to encourage people when they’re down. What’s more difficult is when someone else gets a promotion. I’m not as good at handling the success of others. Rather than rejoicing in it, I resent it.

In reality, there’s plenty of God’s grace to go around. If God wants to pay other people the same amount or more, so what? I shouldn’t even worry about what he wants to give others. My worry or concern should be more about what I’m doing with what I’ve been given.

Envy tends to happen in relationship to your peers. I won’t typically envy people who aren’t my peers. Those are the people you have the hardest time seeing success in. Envy is insidious. It devalues others, it destroys relationships, and if I hold onto it, it will make me miserable. It’s hidden, but it’s destructive. And it causes me to miss out on so much joy.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love does not envy.” Envy is the most unloving thing you can do to somebody else. Love is not envious.

Love celebrates God’s goodness to others.