Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s discussion of how Christians should live in light of God’s mercy. After laying out the foundations of the gospel in chapters 1-11, Paul turns to the practical implications of the gospel for Christian living. In chapter 12, Paul urges Christians to live sacrificially, using their gifts to serve one another and living as “living sacrifices” to God. It is in this context that Paul instructs believers to “hold fast” or “cling to” what is good.
When Paul says to “cling to what is good,” he is calling Christians to actively pursue and hold onto virtue. As redeemed people, Christians are to hate evil and love righteousness. This looks like an ongoing effort to align one’s affections and allegiances with God’s character and commands. Clinging to what is good means embracing and striving after whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). It means cherishing God’s wisdom rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:24-26).
More specifically, to “cling to what is good” includes the following:
- Pursuing Christlikeness. As believers behold Christ, they are transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). Clinging to what is good means striving to mirror God’s character, embodied perfectly in Jesus. This includes cultivating Christlike virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Obeying God’s word. God’s word is a light to a believer’s path and a lamp to their feet (Psalm 119:105). Clinging to what is good means treasuring Scripture, studying it diligently, and pursuing obedience to its commands. It means allowing God’s word to guide and govern all areas of life.
- Pursuing righteous relationships. Christians are called to be peacemakers who extend forgiveness, speak truthfully, and honor marriage covenants (Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:25, 31-32). Clinging to what is good means pursuing unity, reconciliation, justice, and purity in relationships.
- Doing good works. Believers are saved by grace to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Clinging to what is good means actively looking for ways to serve others, meet needs, and build others up through good deeds and words (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:29).
- Setting affections on heavenly things. Paul urges the Colossians to set their hearts on things above rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Clinging to what is good means fixing one’s affections on the eternal rather than the temporal.
Clinging to what is good also implies turning away from evil. Paul contrasts “clinging to what is good” with “abhorring what is evil.” Abhorrence of evil is the natural flipside of clinging to good. As Christians cherish and strive after what is pure, lovely and commendable, they must hate and flee from sinful temptations. This means avoiding compromise with sin and worldliness, guarding against spiritual drift, and actively putting sin to death (Romans 8:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 2:1).
In summary, to “cling to what is good” means that a believer’s life is marked by an active pursuit of godliness and virtue in all its forms. It means wholeheartedly embracing and chasing after whatever reflects the character of Christ. At the same time, it necessitates a hatred of and fleeing from sin. Clinging to what is good demands continual self-evaluation and active striving after maturity.
What are some ways Christians can cling to what is good? Here are a few practical suggestions:
- Saturate yourself in Scripture and prayer. God’s word and communication with God fuels growth in Christlikeness. Start each day in God’s word and ask Him to align your heart to His truth.
- Pursue fellowship and accountability. Other believers can encourage and challenge you in the pursuit of holiness. Share struggles and pray together for growth.
- Cultivate gratitude and joy. Thankfulness roots the heart in God’s grace. Joy in Christ energizes faithful obedience.
- Be quick to confess and repent of sin. Nip sin in the bud through honest confession before God and trusted believers.
- Study Christlikeness. Read biographies of mature saints to spur you on and glean practical wisdom.
- Make specific goals and plans. Set measurable goals to grow in a particular area of godliness. Strategize how to get there.
- Redeem trials and pains. See pain as an opportunity for sanctification. Pray through trials for patience, endurance and proven character.
- Serve and give generously. Blessing others gets your eyes off yourself and deepens reliance on God.
- Immerse yourself in praise and worship. Singing stirs the affections and reorients the heart towards God.
In clinging to what is good, Christians must remember that growth in godliness comes not through self-effort but by God’s Spirit. Progress in holiness flows from grasping the richness of God’s grace in the gospel (Colossians 2:6-7). A believer’s efforts must be grounded in God’s empowering grace at work within them.
Sanctification involves both joyful exertion and grateful dependence. With diligence and through the Spirit’s help, Christians can make significant progress in clinging to what is good in this life, anticipating the day when sin and temptation will be no more.
