Romans 12

[Written one week ago / Updated today]

Steve and I were just talking yesterday about how the more you grow in the Lord, or the more you read the Bible, the more you want to (in both aspects); so the more you cherish the growth and The Word, the more you desire it. In other words, the cycle continues.

What a privilege, first of all, to be chosen to serve the God of the universe. And second of all, what a gift to hold The Word in our hands and be able to read, understand, and learn and grow from it. Not that we understand everything…but I have no doubt that when you draw close to Him (through reading, submission, and prayer), He draws close to you. [See, James 4:8.]

Today (Sunday) is a little different from our normal Sunday, and I also did a little random read inspired from a little devotional that I love called, The Heart-Shaped Life by Karen Moore. The verse was from Romans 12. (And so was yesterday’s verse from the same devotional.) So, I decided to read the entire chapter. I loved it. I’d like to share it with you here. It’s easy to quickly skim over our reading if we aren’t careful, so I want to just add some emphasis here and there. I hope it inspires (and challenges) you as it did me.

[I used the New Living Translation [NLT] here, but you use whatever version you need to enable your walk with Christ. I often use the NLT based on a trusted minister’s knowing of those who tried to interpret it accurately. I also use the English Standard Version [ESV] which the church I attend uses regularly. It feels close to the KJV to me although others may disagree. Most of the scriptures I have memorized are from the beautiful King James. At the very end, I did use one set of verses in conclusion from The Message, which I usually only refer to for expounding emphasis.]

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Living worship…

“1-And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Guard against the world’s (even subtle) influences and find God’s will for your life, which is so good and perfect!

“2-Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Look at and evaluate our lives honestly using God’s directives as the standard…

“3-Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

We each have a job and a purpose that will benefit each other.

“4-5-Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”

Do well with what you have been given, simply being who God created you to be…

“6-8-In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

Remember to hold on to good and despise the evil…and affectionately love others—and delight in honoring them.

“9-10-Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Resist laziness, but work excitedly for the Lord!

“11-Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

Rejoice! —because you have hope! Be patient when troubles come—and pray, PraY, PRAY!!

“12-Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

Be ready and willing to help your brother or sister in Christ. Heartily welcome others…

“13-When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

Pray good things for those who treat you badly…(Not always easy, but I’m sure it changes us as much, or more, than it changes them.)

“14-Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.”

Feel the joy and pain of others…

“15-Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”

‬Do your part to live in peace and unity with each other; and don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought, especially in relationship to others…and remember, “no one likes a ‘know-it-all.’” 😉

“16-Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”

Don’t try to get back at people who treat you badly; but let God have the revenge. Instead, live upright and peaceful with everyone as much as possible; and treat your enemies well if they are in need. Doing so will leave them feeling ashamed of their own actions.

“”17-20-Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.””

Be an overcomer by doing good!

”Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.“

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Some of these verses may feel challenging, but know that, if it is written, it is possible! Through Christ, we can live our lives in a way that is true worship. I really like how The Message version puts in our terms clearly…

”So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬