There is a spiritual side of being a Christian and we may have angelic encounters, dreams, and visions and we certainly will be led by the Holy Spirit. And there is a future hope in being a Christian when we will be with God for eternity and there will be no more pain or tears. But here in these section of Romans, Paul teaches us how to live the Christian life in this present age. Here, we endure affliction, we overcome evil, we are diligent, enthusiastic, rejoicing in hope. Well, as we read these chapters, we can at least check ourselves. Am I praying?. Am I blessing others? Am I feeding my enemy? Can anyone observe the joy of the Lord in my life? Remember Romans 12:17b “Take thought for what is good in the sight of all people” and let your light shine.
Be Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind
Romans 12:1–8
Paul has just spoken about “the deliverer” in Romans 11:26, “the gifts and callings of God” in Romans 11:29, “the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!” in Romans 11:33, and “the mind of the Lord” in Romans 11:34. Then Paul makes a transition from the Kingdom and power of the eternal God to the practical action for us as we live the Christian life. These verses in Romans 12:1-2 are widely quoted, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and “be transformed by the renewal of your mind”.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and even more than that, they are our connection to this world we live in. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, he was also saying that we should engage our body, mind, and spirit to accomplish what we are praying. It is reasonable for us to give our bodies by living in a way that is “holy and pleasing to God”.
Our mind is the seat also of our will and emotions and Paul says this “renewal of your mind” is “so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God”. It is possible for us to live without any regard for God’s will just like the world that does not know Him. But that is not how we should live. For us as Christians, it is good for us to be kind, it is good for us to love each other. It is also well pleasing for us to have faith in God for our health, and provision and our place in the community. And it is the perfect will of God for us to understand and exercise our specific gifts and callings taking our proper function in the body of Christ.
And to these things, Paul says in Romans 12:3 “not to think more highly of yourself than what one ought to think, but to think sensibly”. We each have a right place, as it says in
Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
Devoted to One Another in Brotherly Love
Romans 12:9–21
Paul continues with very practical instruction in how we are to interact with others. This is about our attitude, our responsiveness, our actions. It is not enough to love God and pray and do good for ourselves. We must go beyond ourselves and in
Romans 12:17b “Take thought for what is good in the sight of all people”.
Paul says:
- Love without hypocrisy (with sincerity)
- Abhor evil, be attached to Good
- Be devoted to one another (fond of, cherish, kindly affectioned)
- Esteem one another in Honor (prefer, respect, value)
- Be diligent (do one’s best, “characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort”1
- Be enthusiastic
- Rejoice in hope
- Endure affliction
- Pray
- Contribute to others needs
- Bless
- Do not think arrogantly (humbly associate with all)
- Do not pay back evil with evil
- Be at peace with all
- Do not take revenge
- Feed your enemy
- Overcome evil with good
Do What is Good
Romans 13:1–7
Today, we have a concept that government is the voice of the people, to do what the people want. Actually though, government is established by God as his servant “who avenges for punishment on the one who does what is bad”. The point here is that we should do what is right and good.
Romans 13:4 for it (government) is God’s servant to you for what is good. But if you do what is bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God’s servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does what is bad.
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 13:8–14
As Paul is teaching them to look beyond themselves to see what others need, there may be some that would take advantage and abuse their kindness and hospitality. Paul also now teaches them to maintain the right personal boundaries. They should not be taking from others which he introduces in
Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for the one who loves someone else has fulfilled the law.
Paul says in Romans 13:10 “love does not commit evil against a neighbor”, and “put on the weapons of light” in Romans 13:12, and in Romans 13:13 “live decently”, and finally in
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.
Lord of Both the Dead and the Living
Romans 14:1–12
The Kingdom of God Is … in the Holy Spirit
Romans 14:13–23
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Study Verses
- Romans 12:1–8 Be Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind
- Romans 12:9–21 Devoted to One Another in Brotherly Love
- Romans 13:8–14 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
Today’s Reading
- Romans 12:1-21
- Romans 13:1-14
- Romans 14:1-23
References
- 1. Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.