Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
RO 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
be ready. at any moment of any day to allow the spirit of god to live out his agenda through you. make sure your schedules are loose enough, and your priorities correct enough, that you may heed his call on a whim.
RO 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
interesting that paul follows up a call to be available to the lord at any moment with a cry to not be conformed to the world and their ways. and to be transformed in our thinking so that we may understand god’s will.
again, the parallels come out for me. as the church is full of wheat and tares, when i read words like “the world” i of course get the classical images spoken of. but then i also see pictures of the religion of the tares. “christianity”. how wrapped up are we in our own agendas to be unavailable to serve in the spirit? what if we are late for a board meeting and we see someone stranded on the side of the road? what would we do? are our humanly agendas more important to us?
i must weep and say that more often than not, i have been unwilling to fear god rather than men. i would rather leave god’s inward call unheeded than have to face the wrath of a human and explain why i am late. and in doing so, i am unwilling to put my career on the line for the sake of the kingdom. as if the lord himself has not promised that i will be taken care of.
ouch.
and what do you think this says about our war with iraq?
RO 12:17-21 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
RO 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
be ready. at any moment of any day to allow the spirit of god to live out his agenda through you. make sure your schedules are loose enough, and your priorities correct enough, that you may heed his call on a whim.
RO 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
interesting that paul follows up a call to be available to the lord at any moment with a cry to not be conformed to the world and their ways. and to be transformed in our thinking so that we may understand god’s will.
again, the parallels come out for me. as the church is full of wheat and tares, when i read words like “the world” i of course get the classical images spoken of. but then i also see pictures of the religion of the tares. “christianity”. how wrapped up are we in our own agendas to be unavailable to serve in the spirit? what if we are late for a board meeting and we see someone stranded on the side of the road? what would we do? are our humanly agendas more important to us?
i must weep and say that more often than not, i have been unwilling to fear god rather than men. i would rather leave god’s inward call unheeded than have to face the wrath of a human and explain why i am late. and in doing so, i am unwilling to put my career on the line for the sake of the kingdom. as if the lord himself has not promised that i will be taken care of.
ouch.
and what do you think this says about our war with iraq?
RO 12:17-21 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It is so easy to get consumed by our own agendas and put God’s agenda on the back burner. I have to tell myself often that it is His Kingdom, His Power, His Glory and therefore not mine.
I think the war with Iraq is a more complicated issue than we probably want to get into here but since you mentioned it … Much of what we hear and see about the decision making and outcomes are only what the media chooses to tell us. Even interviews with those in charge are often cut and edited so we really don’t know their motives. So were they acting in revenge and repaying evil for evil? Or did they genuinely believe they need to take actions that were in their own minds self-defensive?
A while ago we had a similar discussion in a Bible study group that I was in and it led to the question. If when Jesus was on earth He had been conscripted into military service what would He have done? Which is an interesting led into Romans 13 – submit to the governing authorities.
It is so easy to get consumed by our own agendas and put God’s agenda on the back burner. I have to tell myself often that it is His Kingdom, His Power, His Glory and therefore not mine.
I think the war with Iraq is a more complicated issue than we probably want to get into here but since you mentioned it … Much of what we hear and see about the decision making and outcomes are only what the media chooses to tell us. Even interviews with those in charge are often cut and edited so we really don’t know their motives. So were they acting in revenge and repaying evil for evil? Or did they genuinely believe they need to take actions that were in their own minds self-defensive?
A while ago we had a similar discussion in a Bible study group that I was in and it led to the question. If when Jesus was on earth He had been conscripted into military service what would He have done? Which is an interesting led into Romans 13 – submit to the governing authorities.
On a completely different theme. Several months ago I came to the realization that God had gifted me to write so I should use the gift God has given me irrespective of the outcome as per v.6-8. “…if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach” and therefore if it is writing, let him write regardless of whether it is read or acknowledged or published.
On a completely different theme. Several months ago I came to the realization that God had gifted me to write so I should use the gift God has given me irrespective of the outcome as per v.6-8. “…if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach” and therefore if it is writing, let him write regardless of whether it is read or acknowledged or published.
v.10b Honor one another above yourselves
In the Message it comes out this way: practice playing second fiddle.
I use to have a pastor that would quote Spurgeon and say: "It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well."
v.10b Honor one another above yourselves
In the Message it comes out this way: practice playing second fiddle.
I use to have a pastor that would quote Spurgeon and say: "It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well."
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
"in view of God's mercy" Often we don't stop to think about God's mercy. We don't think of ourselves in need of mercy. Grace maybe, but not mercy. Surely mercy is for hardened criminals not everyday law abiding citizens.
Yet we underestimated God's holiness if we take this view. Even law abiding citizens need God's mercy.
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
"in view of God's mercy" Often we don't stop to think about God's mercy. We don't think of ourselves in need of mercy. Grace maybe, but not mercy. Surely mercy is for hardened criminals not everyday law abiding citizens.
Yet we underestimated God's holiness if we take this view. Even law abiding citizens need God's mercy.
v.2 Do not conform 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.
We will know God's will if our mind is renewed.
v.2 Do not conform 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.
We will know God's will if our mind is renewed.
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…
This is addressed to Christians who having experienced God’s mercy and are now urged to dedicate themselves to God. Other versions say, "I beseech you". Rather than a command, it is a request. If it were a command we would feel obligated to comply; as a request, albeit a strong request, it becomes a voluntary respond to what God has done for us. It is possible to be saved but not have made this commitment.
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…
This is addressed to Christians who having experienced God’s mercy and are now urged to dedicate themselves to God. Other versions say, "I beseech you". Rather than a command, it is a request. If it were a command we would feel obligated to comply; as a request, albeit a strong request, it becomes a voluntary respond to what God has done for us. It is possible to be saved but not have made this commitment.
v.3 …in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
It is not about how much faith we can muster up but rather how much faith God has given us.
v.3 …in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
It is not about how much faith we can muster up but rather how much faith God has given us.
v.6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Our gifts serve others.
v.6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Our gifts serve others.
v.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(From Constable Commentary) “Frequent attendance at prayer meetings is one indication of devotion to prayer.”
v.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(From Constable Commentary) “Frequent attendance at prayer meetings is one indication of devotion to prayer.”
v.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
The provisos in this verse are interesting, “if it possible” and “as far as it depends on you”. Sometimes it is not possible and sometimes it does not depend on us.
v.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
The provisos in this verse are interesting, “if it possible” and “as far as it depends on you”. Sometimes it is not possible and sometimes it does not depend on us.
v.20 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.
We can do good to those that oppose us, knowing that God can be trusted to vindicate us.
v.20 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.
We can do good to those that oppose us, knowing that God can be trusted to vindicate us.
v.9-21
These instructions are very general not like the specific commands we find in Leviticus. This is because we live under the new covenant.
v.9-21
These instructions are very general not like the specific commands we find in Leviticus. This is because we live under the new covenant.