Romans 12-- discuss
2:15 pm on Monday, Nov. 29, 2004

Me? Twice in one day? No way!

Ok, I wrote this today, and decided I wanted it in my diary, not just where I wrote it.:D

Then end of Romans 11 talks about how we are all bound in sin, so that God can take mercy on all of us, from the same place.

"30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[8] receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all."

This is followed by a lovely Doxology.

"33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen."

And from there, we take up Chapter 12.

"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
3For 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 measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

From this, I read Paul saying that we should love one another for who we are in Christ, and that rather than anger at what we cannot do that another can, we should view it as different abilities to accomplish one goal, in the same sense that my fingers are typing this now, but without my brain, my fingers could not function; or that my legs let me walk, but without my feet, my legs would be useless, and that without my toes, I could never stay upright. . .do you see where this is going? Every part of our bodies are vital. How much moreso when the body is as large and many-functioned as the Body of Christ?

And so, as we are to be presented as living sacrifices, so should we act in love-

"9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On 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." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. "

In all of this, I see Paul saying that we should LOVE one another, and act in that love. That, no matter the circumstances, we should act in love. That our goal should be peace, no matter what else. That if it is outside our control, then it is, but that as far as it is IN our control, peace.

What am I trying to explain? This section speaks for itself, and rather eloquently.

And, because it bears repeating,

"12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

the latest:
A prayer for today. . . - Monday, Aug. 29, 2005
A baby. . . - Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005
Update. . .a baby!!! - Saturday, Jul. 16, 2005
Easter. . . - Monday, Mar. 28, 2005
Today is the day that the Lord has made. . . - Monday, Mar. 21, 2005

before & after