Romans 12-13

Intro

Series - Studies On The Book Of Romans

This Part - Romans chapter 12-13

Review

Romans 9-11 was mostly focused on the turning of the gospel from the Jewish people to the Gentile nations.

Romans 9 - shows why God turned to the Gentiles: God has elect people among the nations

Romans 10 - shows how Israel missed the righteousness of God despite their knowledge of the laws of God

Romans 11 - shows how Israel’s rejection was not total, nor final in the plan of God

This Part

Paul shifts to Christian living

presenting our lives before God as living sacrifices

Paul shows how this is to be practiced

by serving God through spiritual gifts

by Christian behaviors

by Submitting to government

Paul shows 2 important principles in Christian living

the law of love

the principle of living like Jesus

The Goal of Christian living

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Christian living is a life of worship and service

instead of animal offerings - you present your bodies as your sacrifice

living

holy

acceptable

Christian living is attained through the renewed mind

mind - the faculty of thinking and reasoning

renewed mind - mind that is no longer conforming to the way the world thinks

the renewed mind discovers and learns the perfect will of God

God’s perfect will for our life

Service through spiritual gifts

Romans 12:3–8 NKJV

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

WE SERVE GOD WHEN WE MINISTER OUR GIFTS AND THE CHURCH IS EDIFIED THROUGH THESE GIFTS.

Service through Christian Virtues

Verses 9-13 - general personal virtues

Romans 12:9–13 NKJV

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Verses 14-21 - virtues in response to evil and offenses

Romans 12:14–21 NKJV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

WE SERVE GOD WHEN OUR BEHAVIORS DEMONSTRATE THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, AND EVIL IS OVERCOME WITH GOOD.

Service through submission to authority

Romans 13:1–2 NKJV

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Earthly authorities are appointed by God

Romans 13:3–4 NKJV

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Earthly authorities have a purpose in God’s plan

Romans 13:5–7 NKJV

5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Submission to authority is also a matter of conscience

WE SERVE GOD WHEN WE SUBMIT TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND BY PAYING OUR TAXES AND SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITIES.

The Two Principles of Christian Living

The obligation to love one another

Romans 13:8–10 NKJV

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Christians have a “debt” to love another person by virtue of the love of God that was shown him.

Love does no harm to a neighbor.

The anticipation of our salvation (at the Lord’s return)

Romans 13:11–14 NKJV

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

salvation is very near

Christians should practice living in “the day”

Putting on Christ helps us overcome the flesh and its lust.

Conclusion

True Christianity is not a religion that determines the people’s way of life in order to be distinct from other beliefs.

True Christianity is a way of life determined by the life of Christ that dwells in us.

True Christianity is aimed at pleasing God, not men.

True Christianity anticipates the time of the Lord’s return to sin’s rule and usher in eternity with God.

SONG -