I've mentioned in previous post that we are studying the book of Romans in our Sunday morning Bible study at my church. This week I am working on chapter 12. As I'm reading through the verses and a thought pops into my head--this book has all the instructions one needs to get through life! It speaks of our relationship to God, ourselves, and others. How do we worship and honor God? Verses 1-2. How we see ourselves? Verses 3, 6, and 16. Life in the church? Verses 4-8, 13. People in general? Verses 9-10. Work? Verse 11. Our mental and spiritual outlook? Verse 12. How about dealing with those who don't treat us right? It addresses that too in verses 14-20. And just for an all encompassing, wide range way of going through this life? Verse 21.
How awesome is this. If we read this chapter a few days a week, really plant it in our hearts, I'm sure the Holy Spirit would use this to transform our lives into a beautiful reflection of Christ Himself. 2 Corinthians 3:18: So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Once again, as the Lord and I had our time yesterday morning, He gave me a special touch through His Word. I love it! And the bonus blessing is I get to share it with people here on this blog!
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Lord, help us to follow Your instructions. Make them the anchor for our day. They are the fences that keep us in the good, safe pasture of Your will. Following Your ways brings peace to our hearts and minds. It's not always easy, and we need Your Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. Help us with the submission part! Lord, forgive me for falling so short. Today, I want to reflect Your Son.
Make Romans 12 a part of your reading!
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