Romans: Chapter 12

Living out God’s Grace and Love

We are Given the Gifts of God’s Grace and Love. We are to respond by living out our lives in Faith and obedience. We are being Sanctified, day by day. God guarantees that we will be Glorified. Whatever we learn of God’s Word and apply to our lives literally transforms us into the person we are meant to be. Our journey with God, becoming like Jesus, is just beginning. We will continue to learn and be transformed in Heaven. Now Paul says in effect, ‘now that we know all this’, meaning know and understand, the Truth of the past 11 Chapters.

12:1

Paul begs us to present our bodies, by the mercies of God, as a Living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Our souls are designed to be God’s Temple. We are to become one with our Lord and Savior. Our obedient lifestyles then become true worship of God. This is the rational and intelligent thing to do with our lives. Does this make sense to you? This means our goals, our attitudes, our efforts and emotions, literally EVERYTHING about us is to be dedicated and focused on Jesus and His Kingdom. Remember, we actually become more and more like Jesus as we worship Him in the way we live out our lives.

12:2

Paul warns us to avoid being influenced by the world and being fooled by superficial lifestyles. Instead, we are to be continually transformed, metamorphosed ~ into the children of the Living God. How? By the renewing of our minds; that is, our minds must absorb God’s Word and transform our very thought processes; our very attitudes are so changed that the Holy Spirit is our guide. Our very identity, our souls, must belong to God. We think, believe, and feel according to God’s Truth of His Word. How? The renewing of our minds is the Holy Spirit joining with our spirit as we invite the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, inspire and lead us. We choose to say yes, yes, yes, Lord! The Result? We prove it by our wills conforming to the good and acceptable Will of God. We must take ‘captive’ all our thoughts so even our thoughts, will be pleasing to our Lord and Savior. Remember, the battlefield for your soul is in your mind, your thinking.

12:3

Paul warns us to humble ourselves, and recognize we are nothing and Jesus Christ is everything. Jesus has given us His Mercy, a free gift; His Grace, a free gift; He has given us our Faith, a free gift; we rely completely on Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot win the battle against the evil influences of the world without recognizing that it is a spiritual battle that we fight. We are on the enemy’s turf; we live in a wicked world run by Satan. We must know the Truth of the Word of God in our hearts and mind, or we will be tricked into sin.

Please carefully review Ephesians 6 to remind ourselves that the battle is continuous and we must take advantage of the most advanced weapons technology in the Universe. Our warfare is Spiritual. It may seem that the enemy is physical, but in reality, the enemy is spiritual. So we must know the Truth; without Truth, nothing else will be of value. Then, and only then, can we put on the whole armor of God, before the battle begins.

12:4-5

As Believers, we are part of the supernatural Body of Jesus Christ. Yet each of us are unique. We all have different talents, qualities and abilities. God has a special plan of using your gifts to Glorify Himself through the Body of Christ. We are separate, yet we are joined together Supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. This means our gifts and talents are to be used for the greater benefit of other Believers; not just for our own benefit. In this way, you and I can help build up the Body of Christ, the REAL Church, as true and faithful followers of Jesus.

12:6

Each of our Gifts differ according to the Grace God has given us; we are to seek the highest, and very best use of those gifts to build the Body of Christ, thereby Glorifying, Honoring and Praising God! Note that Prophecy is communicating God’s Word Truthfully.

12:7-8

Then Paul outlines some additional Gifts to help us understand the practicality of our use of those gifts. Practical service, be a servant; Teacher, by teaching others carefully and with total honesty. (8.) Exhortation, be an encourager to do good; Giver, give generously and graciously to those in need; Merciful, be kind, caring and forgiving. Leaders, be diligent and make certain all is done correctly, according to His Will. Whatever gift God has given you, share it with cheerfulness, always doing your very best, with joyful eagerness. We are stewards of God’s Gifts, Remember, He will hold us accountable for how we use them!

12:9-10

Be completely honest in your love. Be sincere with no hypocrisy. Hate and avoid evil, in such a way that we turn in horror from ALL wickedness and evil! Cling to goodness as if your life depended on it ~ and believe me, it does! (10.) Give honor to others, respecting them, being gracious and kind. Look to examples Jesus set for us: He loved and forgave those who crucified Him. We must forgive those who do us harm; yet do not allow them to continue to abuse us.

12:11

Never be lazy. Do you realize that Procrastination and laziness go hand in hand? Be diligent, hardworking, dedicated, persevering, earnest, burning with a fervent intense desire to seek and serve your Savior and Lord Jesus. Work as if Jesus is standing right there watching you, because He is! Think of it this way: If Jesus asked you to come along with Him and be part of His Kingdom plans, would you join Him, or lag behind? Remember, you ARE part of His Kingdom plans!

12:12

Rejoice in hope; be steadfast and patient in sufferings and tribulations and persecutions; then be constantly in prayer. Be serious about studying and applying God’s Word daily. Think of God’s word as truly ‘your daily bread’. You would never forget to eat, so don’t neglect to ingest God’s Word into your soul and spirit daily. Jesus said, “man does not live by bread alone” The bread that came down from Heaven is Jesus, the Word, take and eat of the Word generously, every single day!

12:13

Contribute generously and graciously and often to the needs of His people. Be hospitable, gracious, kind and loving; being willing to share what you have with others for the best interests of Believers. Fellowship with Believers on a regular basis. This is one of the very best ways to strengthen your walk with Jesus! What you REALLY BELIEVE is shown by the company you choose to associate with. How are you doing? When you give to the poor you actually lend (give) to God ~ now that’s the best One to trust with your treasures! Prov. 19:17; Matthew 25:31-46.

12:14

Now it gets really difficult! Paul says we are to bless those who persecute us, do not curse them, bless them. We think, ‘are you kidding me?’ Yet, Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing!” Could it be that those who persecute us, and attack us, have no clue what they are really doing? Remember, the lost are held captive by Satan.

12:15

Rejoice and be happy with those who rejoice, and share in their joy. Be happy for those who have been blessed and are joyful. If you are not joyful, could it be that you are jealous? Come on, be honest with yourself in this area. Weep and grieve with those who are in sorrow and grief. We share and empathize with those who are suffering. Seek to be kind and tenderhearted.

12:16

Live in peace and harmony with other Believers. Never be haughty, snobbish or exclusive. Be willing to adjust your attitude and actions to perform humble tasks, and serve others. Never overestimate yourself, avoid being conceited and thinking you are better than anyone else. (Proverbs 3:7)

12:17

Never get even. Don’t even think about it! Do no evil to those who do evil to you. Be completely honest and ethical; be self-disciplined in the sight of all men. Be above reproach so your very life will Glorify God. Honesty is NOT the best policy, it is the ONLY policy!

12:18-19

Do everything to live at peace with others. You must do your part, even if they fail to do their part. Be a peacemaker without compromising Godly values. (19.) Never avenge yourself. Let God perform His wrath, in His time. Trust Him. He says “Vengeance is Mine” He knows the best way to deal with vicious, hateful people. Trust God in this area. You will only mess up His plans by trying to do it ‘your way’.

12:20

Paul tells us that if our enemy is hungry and in need, we are to be kind and provide food and drink. By doing this we will heap burning coals upon his head. Prov. 25:21, 22. Perhaps God will use our kindness to convict the sinner of his sins, and cause repentance.

12:21

Never let yourself be overcome by evil; instead, overcome evil with good. Trust God, He will bring about good, even from the evil others do to you. Remember Joseph, in the Book of Genesis?, God saved an entire Nation because Joseph gave good for evil continuously, for years and years, even when he was imprisoned and saw no positive results. Why? Because Joseph truly believed God and knew God loved him and had the very best plan for his life.

So, IF you REALLY and TRULY want to be obedient to God, and receive His continuous love; and knowing and understanding that this is the ONLY way you can be truly successful; why not review all of these commands? These commands from God are for your best interests; not just here on Earth, but for all Eternity! Write down those that are difficult for you, realizing that these are NOT suggestions from God, they are all COMMANDS! Keep in mind your desire to be perfect! Shalom!