Last week in Munich, Germany I had the opportunity to work with some great folks who are tirelessly trying to reach their city with the Good News of Jesus. It’s a tough environment in many ways and what the experts call a “Post-Christian” context (with only 2% of the population being born-again believers). At one point, we climbed to the top of a tower to pray over the city. As I looked out over the beautiful spires of grand, once-filled-now-empty cathedrals, a sinking question hit me; “Have we lost the battle?” I wish I could say I had a great faith-filled moment where all seemed right in the world, but I just felt grieved.

Over the next few days as we worked and prayed, I was led to a passage of scripture as I thought about another question, “How do we win?” The answer came through words written long ago to people who probably wondered the same things, and I want to share them. For the record, we haven’t lost the battle, it’s being won every day one-life-at-a-time; but as we plan, pray, and partner, here are some powerful words to keep us on track:

³ “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. ⁴ Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:

If prophecy, use it according to the standard of one’s faith;
⁷ if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation;
giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. ¹³ Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. ¹⁸ If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written:

“Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

²⁰ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. ²¹ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” –Romans 12:3-21 HCSB