Romans I have made a commentary of sorts with my thoughts on the Bible Romans Chapter 12 Quick take: Brain smashingly amazing Written November 9, 2006 through December 1, 2006 Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 November 9, 2006 Romans 12:1 God’s mercy may initially cause us to take the opportunity to sin even more, but in worship to God we see His great mercy and lay ourselves down for Him. I once heard that the problem with a living sacrifice is they tend to crawl off the alter. Paul urges believers to live in such a way that is holy and pleasing to God. This would be a total sharpening of one’s life cutting out the little sins as well as the big. November 13, 2006 Romans 12:2 We are urged to live as sacrifices to the Lord in the previous verse. Now, in verse 2 we are told that a living sacrifice is not fashioned the same as the world, but conforms to something different. Conforming to the world can be so tempting. It is a life where you try to meet all of your own needs and wants by yourself. This pursuit is destined to disappoint. The Christian, on the other hand, is transformed from this pattern into another. His mind is renewed and he can then test and know God’s will, which is good, pleasing and perfect. November 17, 2006 Romans 12:3 Here is a warning against pride. It is wrong to think more highly of yourself than you actually are. Pride destroys unity, which is where Paul is going with this. False humility also destroys unity and we are warned against this as well. Everyone should think of themselves with sober judgment knowing that what they have is from God and what they don’t have God has withheld from them for a reason. Romans 12:4-5 The Church is made up of individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. God has specifically molded us and put us all together to accomplish more than we could separately. So the church is a sacred entity very close to God’s heart. November 19, 2006 Romans 12:6-8 At first verse six sounds like God gives some people more grace than others. Though, that might be true, I don’t think this verse says that as much as it says God gives people different gifts. Not more or less, just different. Prophesy in proportion to one’s faith, serving, teaching, encouraging, generosity, diligent leadership, and cheerful mercy. These are all different gifts God gives. November 21, 2006 Romans 12:9 How is the sincerity of love related to it’s hating evil and clinging to good? I don’t know, but these are things that love must be. A false, insincere love is a cruel evil. I have for many years overlooked the extreme opposites in the first 5 words of this verse that boils down to, “Love must hate.” The flowery hugs of loving acceptance will vehemently resist the embrace of evil. Love hates lies. Love hates deceit. Love hates jealousy. Love hates pride. Love hates laziness. 1 John 4:8 “…God is love.” What if we retranslated this verse: “God must be true to Himself. He must hate what is evil; He must cling to what is good.” God, who is love, hates my lies. God, who is love, hates my deception. God, who is love, hates my laziness. God, who is love, hates my pride. God, who is love, hates my jealousy. God, who is love, hates my discontentment. God who is love, clings to my kindness. God who is love, clings to my gentleness. God who is love, clings to my generosity. God who is love, clings to my love. November 23, 2006 – Thanksgiving Romans 12:10 If the Church could only do this one thing, the world would be won. November 24, 2006 Romans 12:11 Be zealous and spiritually hot serving the Lord. Don’t be lazy but work hard, however don’t forget that God’s spirit enables. Romans 12:12-13 These verses seem like both the basics of Christian faith and the most advanced courses. You can be joyful no matter your circumstance because of the hope you have. You can be patient no matter the affliction because you know all things work for your good and that God is in control. Faithful in prayer. It is interesting that it says “God’s people” specifically. We are to love the world, but love God’s people specifically. Hospitality is, I think, medicine for one’s soul. November 29, 2006 Romans 12:14 This is something that does not shake me like it shook the original readers. I’m not persecuted, but if I were, I should bless them. It is hard enough blessing the people I love. Bless people. It is as simple as that. Bless those you know. Bless those you don’t know. Romans 12:15 This kind of sounds like a command to empathize with people. It is terrible to be bitter towards someone’s joy and joyful towards someone’s mourning. Romans 12:16 Pride destroys the possibility of living in harmony with others. He is even saying to live at harmony with people of low standing. Class distinctions are against harmony. November 30, 2006 Romans 12:17 This verse is for when someone commits evil against you. Clearly, we are not to commit evil against that person, but I don’t think we are to roll over and be their floor mat either. Paul instructs us to do what is right in the “eyes of everybody”. Is that, we are to do what is right so that everyone can see? Or is it, we are to do what everybody thinks is right? I think the latter. December 1, 2006 Romans 12:18 This is a “good neighbor” verse. We are to do everything in our power to live at peace with those around us. He does preface it with “If it is possible” so I tend to think we shouldn’t feel too bad if we aren’t at peace with someone, but we should do everything we can for peace. Romans 12:19 I don’t ever remember learning what revenge was. It came so naturally to me, like eating. I think there are a lot of natural sins we don’t have to learn, but must train ourselves to unlearn. One might argue that all sin is natural, or rather all sins stem from some root sin like pride. We don’t have to worry about our honor because we have a loving Father who will avenge us. Romans 12:20 God will deal with His creation, we are to act according to His laws. We are to love our enemies. God will bless them through us, and punish them Himself. It is not our responsibility to repay evil. Romans 12:21 This is language of war. The force of evil will try to overtake us, but the forces of good can overtake evil. It is contrary to our natural beliefs. How could being good overcome someone who is evil? Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16