Read chapter 12
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12;&version=NIV
12:1–2 The mercies of God are those of which Paul spoke throughout Romans 1–11. The “Therefore” of 12:1 is a conclusion based on the entirety of the first eleven chapters. The word “offer” (12:1) is the same as in 6:13, 16, 19. True worship is seen as a presentation of the self to God. The body is the vehicle of presentation. Remember what was said about the body in Romans 6–8.
The specifics of mind renewal (12:1) involve the proving of God’s will (law) in everyday experience (12:2). Rather than being conformed to the world’s mold, the believers are to be from the inside out.
12:3–8 Humility is the key to remaining in the root of Abraham (cf. 11:17–24). This call to humility links back to Jewish (Rom. 2–3) and Gentile (11:18, 25) tendencies toward arrogance. Paul desired that believers find their proper place in the body of Christ, using the gifts of God’s salvation (cf. 1 Cor. 12–13). They are to be interdependent. Their exercise of gifts is limited (12:6–8). The exercise of gifts needs to be done without envy or pride; believers should not seek to get gifts in order to stay within God’s measure of grace. God gives the different gifts according to his will.
12:9-21 Love in this context is recognizing one’s proper place in society and the Christian community—humility before God and people. Love must be honestly applied (12:9–16), not like that of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11). Romans 12:9–21 gives extensive illustrations of what unhypocritical love looks like. In 12:19–21 Paul quoted Deuteronomy 32:35 and Proverbs 25:21–22 to demonstrate that vengeance is God’s prerogative and kindness, like the penetrating intensity of burning coals, is the Christian’s means of conquering evil.
Discussion & reflection question
This one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and speaks to me in several different levels. How or what speaks to you in this chapter?
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The adminition to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" speaks to me. A family member was stunned when her nephew was so enthused about his new church membership that it affected everything he did. She claims to be a Christian, but it doesn't seem to affect her life too much. I told her I thought that kind of commitment was expected of us. She went away scratching her head. I don't think she had thought about it that way.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it kind of sums up how a christian should live. Short Summary. That we should sacrifice, means to live according to god's word. That we each should use the gifts that god has provided us with. Personaly I like the section on loving one another. I am sure some would think - no way. If I become anry or irritated with someone, I often think of this verse. It does help & most of the time will defuse the situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Colene and Keith said. However, one verse that I think is very good is part of verse 3 which says "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment". I think a lot of us put ourselves on a pedestal and think we are better than others but we are all God's children and all an equal part of the body of Christ.
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