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Continuing on the Romans Road
Here we are, at this point Paul is getting to encourage the readers. He wants them to walk the walk,
not just talk the talk He wants them, and us, to live the life God has gifted
us. Sometimes life gets in the way of our listening to God in His Word but we
need to remember that it is here for the purpose of following our purpose in
God’s plan.
We think we make great choices in life because we are saved,
but that is not all there is. God gives us, or gifts us, with a purpose that
goes beyond that. Now following the world may seem like what we should do
because daily we are inundated with people telling us what is right and wrong
in their own eyes, but we know better when we know Christ. We know the Truth, thus
we have to live out the life He has given us according to His plans in order to
have the peace, the hope, the love, that we long for as people. When Paul says
he pleads with us to give our bodies as sacrifices, he does not mean we die on
the cross like Jesus but instead we give up what may have seemed fun or the
best life when we were part of the world for what God tells us we need to do.
Don’t act like you are not a Christian! When you are of Christ it will show!
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. 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. 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. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part
has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one
body, and we all belong to each other.
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. If
your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
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.
Romans 12:1-8
Like Paul we have been given gifts, we have been given
authority to teach and to preach and to pray for others to come to know Him. We
have been given gifts according to the abilities He has given us. Even if it’s
just showing kindness to others it is a gift of God and we need to share that! Every
perfect gift is from above. (See James 1:17)
It is not easy to follow through the things listed in this
chapter but that is why it is called a sacrifice! I will say the more you and I
behave like Christ, the more we know Him to know how to live like Christ, the
more we will reflect His countenance. Loving others will come easier the more we
realize that God is in us, and being in us He will love through us.
Take a moment and read through the rest of the chapter.
Ask yourself these questions.
Do I try to take on the revenge mode myself when I feel
wronged?
Do I really love others? Do I hold fast to what is good and
get rid of what is mean, or evil in my life? Can I be hospitable and serve
others? Am I lazy?
If these are getting too many ‘yes’s for your answers, or even just one, take the
time right now to pray!
Don’t just pretend to
love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is
good. Love each other with genuine
affection, take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord
enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep
on praying. When God’s people are in
need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless
those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep
with those who weep. 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!
Never pay back evil
with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are
honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 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. 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.”
Don’t let evil
conquer you but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21
Heavenly Father, help us today to conquer evil by doing good.
Help us to obey your directions I this chapter and live a life that is not just
pleasing to you but helpful to others in finding Your kingdom and your peace,
hope and love. Help us to behave according to Your Word, in Jesus’ name …
Now go be happy with those who are happy in the Lord!