The True Christian

I. Intro. -

A. Louis Zamperini

B. Read Romans 12:9-21, Pray

Step 2 to find the Will of God in your life, Be a true Christian. Remember 4 weeks ago we started Romans 12 with being transformed by the renewal of our minds to find the Will of God, and 3 weeks ago we looked at step one which was be a part of the Church, the body of Christ. Again, today we are going to look at step 2 to find the Will of God, Be a true Christian. These are Commands, everything Paul is saying is a command, not a suggestion. Nor is everything here a new saying with Paul, these commands are littered throughout the OT in various ways. We are going to be touching on the concept of what makes legalism legalism in the next few chapters of Romans as well. What is Legalism? We live in a legal based society, which is different than the shame based societies that the OT and NT were written in. Legal societies are concerned with the “Letter of the Law” whereas Honor/Shame societies are concerned with the “Spirit of the Law” to not bring shame on yourself or family or community.

II. Within the Church (v9-13)

A. Agape

This is more a core function than emotion.

Jeremiah 31:3 “the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

This form of “Love” is explored more in the NT

B. Abhor the Evil

Tolerate Evil?

The Law shows what is evil

Cling to the Good, Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

C. Philadelphia

This has some aspect of emotion attached to it.

“Love your Neighbor as yourself”

Showing Honor is not natural to our society anymore

D. Zeal for the Lord

Remember in Rom 10, Zeal without knowledge is fanaticism.

Numbers 25:6-13

The sword is not in my hand

E. Small but Mighty Commands

What is our Hope?

This world if filled with tribulation for the believer

Always be praying!

Love your neighbor as yourself

Step 2a for finding the Will of God: Be a good Christian within the Church

III. In the sight of All (v14-18)

A. Blessings

These mirror Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Job 31:29–30 ““If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),”

B. Rejoice and Weep

This goes back to the body imagery in the last section.

C. The mind

Harmony here has a meaning of conforming one’s mind to the thought. Remember 12:2

Haughty again has a root in the mind

Never be wise in your own sight. Rom 11:25, Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Isaiah 5:21 “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”

D. Evil for Evil

This is now the theme for the rest of the section

I have included this here with all, including the church.

Do the honorable thing in the sight of all

E. Be at peace with all

As far as it depends on you

God is peace, so why not try and give God to the world through peace?

Step 2b in finding the Will of God: Be a good Christian in the sight of all

IV. With outsiders (v19-21)

A. Wrath of God

These have to be outsiders.

This is from Lev 19:18

B. The Contrary

Pr 25:21-22.

This is probably the hardest thing we are given to do as Christians

C. The point

Overcome in the Greek is passive, meaning the overcoming comes from without

Overcome Evil is Active, meaning you do the overcoming with Good!

Step 2c in finding the Will of God: Be a good Christian in the presence of Evil

V. Conc. -

A. Step 2a: Be a good Christian in the Church

B. Step 2b: Be a good Christian in the sight of All.

C. Step 2c: Be a good Christian in the presence of Evil.