Romans 12: Learning To Live Like Christ

Read Romans 12.

Pray

Today, we are in Romans 12:1-21. Before we unpack these verses, it's important to understand the "therefore" at the beginning of Romans 12:1. This "therefore" ties back to the doxology in Romans 11:33-36, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.

-Paul concludes Romans 11 with a profound expression of praise: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.”

-In these verses, Paul is overwhelmed by the greatness of God. He acknowledges that God's ways and judgments are beyond human understanding. Everything we have and are is from Him, through Him, and to Him. This leads Paul to a doxology—a moment of pure worship and awe.

-With this understanding of God's immense mercy and wisdom, Paul urges the believers in Romans 12:1 to respond appropriately:

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

-The "therefore" serves as a bridge, connecting our recognition of God's mercy with our response. Because of all that God has done—His grace, His mercy, His wisdom—we are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. This is not just a one-time offering, but a continual act of worship. Our lives, in their entirety, should be dedicated to God.

This is Paul’s appeal to be a

Living Sacrifice: Unlike Old Testament sacrifices, which were dead offerings, we are called to be living sacrifices. Our whole lives, not just moments or aspects, are to be dedicated to God.

Holy and Pleasing to God: Our lives should be set apart (holy) and aim to please God. This involves moral and ethical purity, aligning our actions with God's will.

True Worship: True worship is not limited to singing or church attendance. It’s a lifestyle of devotion and obedience to God. Every action and decision can be an act of worship when done for God's glory.

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

-The world has its values, behaviors, and ways of thinking that often oppose God's ways. To conform means to blend in without resistance.Paul urges us not to conform. This requires awareness and intentionality, recognizing the areas where the world’s influence might be creeping into our lives.

-The Greek word for transformed is "metamorphosis," indicating a profound change. This is not a superficial adjustment but a deep, inner change.

- The mind is the battleground for transformation. Renewal comes through engaging with God's Word, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves reorienting our thoughts, values, and perspectives to align with God's truth. Transformation is continuous. It's a daily process of dying to self and living for Christ.

-As our minds are renewed, we gain the ability to discern God's will. This involves understanding and applying God’s principles to our daily decisions.

-God's will is described as good, pleasing, and perfect. It’s beneficial, aligns with His character, and is complete. As we live transformed lives, we increasingly desire and follow God's will.

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

- Paul begins with a reminder of the grace given to him. He uses this authority to counsel humility: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment." we must be a humble people.

-Every believer is encouraged to have a realistic view of themselves. Pride and arrogance have no place in the Christian community. Instead, we should recognize that our abilities and faith are gifts from God.

“measure of faith”: is an interesting term used here……

-Right away, two facts are apparent about it first, it is the standard by which we correctly appraise ourselves, and, second, it is given out by God. Because each believer receives his measure of faith by God’s allotment, we are prevented from thinking of ourselves “more highly” than we ought.

-Looking at the broader context of Romans 12:3, we notice there is something else given by God. The grace of God is mentioned as a gift to Paul in the same verse, and that same grace is mentioned as a gift to all believers in verse 6: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So, immediately following his discussion of the measure of faith, Paul speaks of the gifts of the Spirit: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy.

-Recognizing that our measure of faith comes from God prevents pride and encourages “sober judgment.” Each of us should recognize the limits of his or her own gifts.

-At the same time, we must acknowledge the gifts that others possess and that each believer is divinely placed into Christ as a vital and functioning part of His spiritual Body (Romans 12:4–8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27). No member should consider himself or herself as superior to any other but should instead recognize that God has placed us just where He wants us with the gifts He has chosen for us (1 Corinthians 12:11).

-God has given to each a “measure of faith” to use for Him. This “faith” is the gift from which all the other gifts flow. Faith is the first gift we receive (for justification), and faith is the gift that brings the other gifts of the Spirit into our lives. When a person is born again, God gives him gifts as a new member of the family of God. We receive the gifts according to the measure that God has given us, and we exercise the gifts according to the same measure of faith.

4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

-Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the church. Just as a body has many parts with different functions, so does the church. The church is not just made up or designed to be led by a handful of people. It is at its best when every believer uses his or her gifts and plays there part within the body.

-We are "one body in Christ" and "individually members of one another." Our unity in Christ doesn't erase our individuality but enhances it as we contribute to the whole.

- Each part of the body depends on the others. In the same way, each member of the church is essential, and we rely on one another to fulfill our collective mission.

6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

-We talked about this yesterday at our mens breakfast. God has graciously given different gifts to each of us. These gifts are not for personal glory but for serving the body of Christ.

Using Gifts Faithfully:

Prophecy: Speak God's truth with faith.This is some crazy name it and claim it or some fortune teller gift that unfortunately some christ followers have made it out to be.

Service: Serve diligently and wholeheartedly.

Teaching: Teach with clarity and commitment.

Exhortation: Encourage and uplift others sincerely.

Giving: Give generously and without reservation.

Leading: Lead with diligence and integrity.

Mercy: Show mercy cheerfully, reflecting God’s compassion.

-Whatever our gift, we are called to use it faithfully and joyfully, recognizing that it is given by God for the benefit of others.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.

-Love without hypocrisy is unconditional. God loves us just the way we are. We didn’t have to clean up our act for Him to love us: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8, NLT).

- He loved us first, even though we didn’t deserve His love. To emulate God’s love, we must love people who are undeserving, unloving, and rebellious, just as we were when God first loved us. Since nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39), we ought not to let anything separate us from loving others (Romans 13:8).

-Love without hypocrisy is sacrificial. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16, NLT). Genuine love means wanting what is best for the ones we love. If we see a brother or sister in need, we do our best to meet that need. Love without hypocrisy proves itself not only “with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16–18)

Love without hypocrisy is humble. Scripture teaches us to treat others better than we want to be treated ourselves: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4). Paul calls us to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). Jesus taught us in His great Sermon on the Mount to turn the other cheek when we’ve been wronged (Matthew 5:38–42) and even love our enemies (Matthew 5:43–48).

Love without hypocrisy abides by God’s Word (John 14:15; 2 John 1:6). Jesus, motivated by love, left His home in glory to obey His Father’s call to come and live among us and suffer and die on the cross to save us (Philippians 2:6–8). He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:9–10).

11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.

-Zeal involves enthusiasm and fervor. As believers, we should be passionate about our faith and our service to God. This is not about superficial excitement but a deep, abiding commitment.

-Being fervent in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to ignite and sustain our passion for God’s work. It involves a continuous reliance on the Spirit's power.

-In the original Greek, the verb for “be fervent” refers to being emotionally inflamed, enthusiastic, or excited. The concept is of a pot full of bubbling water over a flame. When Paul tells Christians to “be fervent in spirit,” he means that that they should let their lives demonstrate the vibrant presence of the Holy Spirit like water boiling on a fire. A pot of boiling water is active, roiling, giving off steam and heat. It’s not stagnant, idle, or apathetic.

-Paul wants believers to use all their spiritual energy, excitement, and devotion in ministering to others as they serve the Lord. Even in the face of severe opposition, Paul urges the Corinthians, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT). Our calling to holiness demands that we be passionate about purity, love with sincerity, and serve God with our whole hearts (1 Peter 1:13–22).

12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

-Our hope is anchored in Christ and His promises. Rejoicing in hope means maintaining a joyful spirit, knowing that our future is secure in Him

- Trials and challenges are inevitable. Patience in affliction involves enduring hardships with a steadfast heart, trusting that God is with us and will bring us through.

-Prayer is our lifeline to God. Persistence in prayer means continually seeking God’s presence, guidance, and strength, regardless of circumstances.

-The early church was known for its generosity. Sharing with the saints involves meeting the practical needs of fellow believers, demonstrating the love of Christ.

-Hospitality goes beyond inviting friends over. It means opening our hearts and homes to others, especially those in need or those we do not know well.

-To bless those who harm us is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. It means praying for their well-being and seeking their good, rather than responding with hatred or revenge.

-Jesus exemplified this on the cross when He prayed for those who crucified Him. We are called to follow His example, showing love even to our enemies.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

-we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Paul adds an instruction that we live in harmony with each other. If a brother or sister is rejoicing over something wonderful that has happened, we should share in that joy. We are members of the same body—we are family. We should take joy in that which brings our brothers and sisters joy.

-Conversely, we need to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). There are times of sadness or heartbreak. There are times of grief, and when others are encountering those difficult times, we can come alongside them and share that burden with them.

- Consider how in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 Paul explains that, when a loved one who is in Christ dies, he or she will one day be resurrected, and we will be together with the Lord. Because of that truth, we don’t need to grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

-Still, there is grief. And when a brother or sister encounters grief, we shouldn’t tell him or her to “get over it” or even remind the grieving one that he or she should always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16). On the contrary, Paul helps us understand we should be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Romans 12:10), and we need to weep with those who weep. While it is certainly true that we should always rejoice and that we don’t ever have a hopeless grief, we need to express grace and love and weep with those who weep.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

-Paul begins by urging us not to repay evil with evil. This command stands in stark contrast to the world's prevalent attitude of revenge and retaliation.

- The world often teaches us to respond to wrongs with equal or greater force. However, Paul calls us to resist this impulse and instead respond with grace and forgiveness.

-Christians are called to give careful thought to what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. This means our actions should reflect integrity and respect, even towards those who have wronged us.

-As much as it depends on us, we are to live at peace with everyone. This requires humility, patience, and a willingness to reconcile, even when it’s difficult.

19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.

-When we’re hurt, abused, humiliated, or treated unjustly, we naturally want the offender to experience what we felt. We demand our “pound of flesh” and may not rest till we get it. This is the crux of many Hollywood movies and seems like the right thing to do. If someone shows us kindness, we’re often eager to repay him or her. Why shouldn’t we repay the wrong that is done to us, too?

Scripture has a different view, and God says, “Vengeance is mine.” While accepting our human desire for “payback,” Paul gives us a better path

-The command for Christians to not avenge themselves results from the fact that we were saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our righteousness is a gift from God received by faith, not by works.

- As people forgiven by God through Christ, we’re commanded to emulate God’s nature by forgiving others who have wronged us. Jesus further stresses the need for forgiveness (Matthew 18:21–22), and His standard is love toward our enemies.

-What about retributive justice? Who will satisfy that need? That’s where God comes in. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35 to tell us who’s ultimately in charge of payback. God is. Vengeance belongs to God, not to us.

-The problem is not our need for retributive justice, per se. It is good to want to see justice done. But we have a sinful nature, even as regenerated believers.

- It’s impossible for us to seek vengeance with absolutely pure motives. When avenging a wrong, we usually trade in our altruism for animosity, and our desire for righteousness is mixed with self-righteousness. Just as with every other normal desire, the desire for vengeance can become a dungeon of pain and bitterness.

-The only One who can carry out true justice without the taint of impure motives is God. He’s the Ultimate Judge, answerable to no one, set to “repay everyone according to what they have done”. This knowledge should give us comfort when we are wronged, as well as the freedom to let go. Jesus is our example in this: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” .

- By leaving room for God’s wrath, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and righteousness. It frees us from the burden of seeking retribution.

20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

-heaping fiery coals is an interesting line….. There are a couple of way at looking at this:

-One interpretation is that by showing kindness to an enemy, you may induce feelings of shame and guilt in them for their hostile behavior. This emotional discomfort is likened to the burning sensation of hot coals. The hope is that this internal turmoil might lead them to repentance and a change of heart.

-There is also an interpretation that sees the fiery coals as a metaphor for divine judgment. By acting righteously, you leave the judgment to God, who will deal justly with the wrongdoer.

-Jesus states clearly how we are to respond to our “enemies in Matthew 5:43-48.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus also reminded the Pharisees that Satan cannot drive out Satan (Matthew 12:25–28).

- Likewise, evil cannot drive out evil. An evil response only doubles the evil. When we respond to evil in humility and grace, we are proving that good triumphs over wickedness. We cannot stop people from doing evil, but they cannot force us to participate with them. It takes no power, might, or wisdom to retaliate against evildoers. But returning good for evil is one of the greatest demonstrations of strength.