Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
(Romans 12:15)

It is not very difficult to share in...to enter into... either the joy, or even the grief, of those with whom we feel a kinship…those for whom we have an affinity…those whom we find lovely.

The Apostle Paul, however, makes no distinctions in this Spirit-inspired charge in Romans 12:15. In fact, in this context (Romans 12:14-21), Paul is describing our call to a "genuine love" that acts, yes, towards brothers and sisters in Christ, but also even towards those who would persecute us…those who are our enemies.

Therefore, the more difficult question is, can we honestly say that we are willing to…and seeking to…share in…enter into…both the joy and the grief of those with whom we feel no kinship…those for whom we have no affinity…those whom we do not find lovely…even among our brothers and sisters in Christ, let alone an outside enemy?

Sadly, too often, our “natural” (sinful) tendency is to take joy in their setbacks and sufferings and to despise, regret, effectively to weep over, their experiences of joy…

Such things ought not be so...

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
(1 Timothy 1:5)

...the deceitfulness of sin vs. true soul-satisfying pleasures...

The power behind the deceitfulness of sin is inextricably connected to the appeal of the pleasures, though temporary, that sin both promises and provides. (Hebrews 3:13 & 11:25)

The “reward” of (temporary) pleasures experienced as a result of repeatedly yielding to temptation serves only to effectively provide a "training" that makes future resistance against temptation even more difficult.

The “reward” and sure hope resulting from a regular practice of fixing my eyes on Jesus is fullness of joy and the Divine promise of true soul-satisfying pleasures, both now, and forever more. (Hebrews 12:2 & Psalm 16:11)

...pain resulting from love, rather than pain resulting from hate...

Pain and suffering…grief and loss…are unavoidable realities in this sin-cursed world.

Still, Father, grant that my experiences of those realities might come as a result of my efforts to express Spirit-produced…Spirit-empowered actions and attitudes of Christ-like love, and not as a result of my own fleshly actions and attitudes of selfishness and hate.