[:en]SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 12
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12: 1)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3)
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4)
“Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:9-10)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faith in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:12-13)
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:14-16)
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18)
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21)
PUTTING DOCTRINE INTO PRACTICE:
TO THE LORD:
- Offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God (v. 1)
- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (v. 2)
TO YOURSELF:
- Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought (v. 3a)
- Think yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you (v.3b)
- Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (v. 11)
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (v. 12)
TO THE CHURCH:
- We who are in Christ belong to one body and each member belongs to all the others (v. 4-5)
- Use your gifts according to the grace given (v. 6)
- Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality (v. 13)
TO EVERYONE:
- Love sincerely. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good (v. 9)
- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves (v. 10)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (v. 15)
- Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited (v. 16)
TO THE ENEMIES:
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (v. 14)
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody (v. 17)
- Do not take revenge but leave room for God’s wrath (v. 19)
- Feed your enemy who is hungry. Give him something to drink if he is thirsty (v. 20)
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 21)
SUMMARY:
- Offer your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord without conforming to the world.
- Be humble, not proud.
- Use your gifts to serve the Lord with zeal.
- Love one another, be generous and hospitable.
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer
- Do what is right and live at peace with one other
- Do not repay evil for evil but leave vengeance to the Lord.
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