SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 12
Bible Verses:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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 12:1-21)
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:3-5)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13)
“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 everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
GIVING SACRIFICES (vs. 1-8)
Paul urged brothers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. By not conforming to the world, your mind will be transformed to do God’s will which is good, pleasing and perfect.
LOVE (vs. 9-21)
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE:
- Sincere & honest (v. 9)
- Kind and devoted (v. 10)
- Respectful (v. 11a)
- Available (v. 11b)
- Joyful (v. 12a)
- Patient (v. 12b)
- Faithful (v. 12c)
- Generous (v. 13a)
- Hospitable (v. 13b)
- Graceful (v. 14)
- Able to Empathize (v. 15)
- Harmonious (v. 16a)
- Humble (v. 16b)
- Fair (v. 16c)
- Righteous (v/ 17)
- Peaceful (v. 18)
- Forgiving (v. 19)
- Compassionate (v. 20)
- Overcomer of evil with good (v. 21)
THOUGHTS:
- A true Christian dedicates his life by presenting his body, mind and will to God. It is yielding the body to Him, having the mind renewed by the Word and surrendering the will through prayer and obedience. Do not be a conformer to the world but rather be a transformer to become more like Christ.
- The church is made up of all believers in Christ. Each member has different spiritual gifts according to his faith and grace. Do not think of yourself more highly than your spiritual gifts warrant.
IN SUMMARY, PAUL RELATED DOCTRINE TO DUTY AND DISCUSSED VARIOUS RELATIONSHIPS:
- With the Lord – Give your body and let him transfer your life and renew your mind.
- With Yourself – Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought nor less highly of yourself. But think yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the message of faith that God has given you.
- With the Church – The church is a body composed of many members. Each member has different kinds of gifts. Let each man exercise his gift according the the grace given by God and fulfill your ministry lovingly and joyfully.
- With your Enemies – Bless those who persecute you. Do not curse. Do not repay evil for evil. Do not take revenge. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.