Tag: Romans 12
Genuine love and service
Scripture reading for June 30: Romans 12
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:4-9
These last four chapters of Romans contain practical instruction for those who by faith have obtained right standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul viewed the Church of Jesus as a human body with each member having different functions by God’s design and grace. Each person is different in their gifting and ability. These differences are necessary and designed by God to enable His Body, the Church, to function and fulfill His purposes. There are no gifts that are unimportant or to be looked down on. On the other hand, no gift is to cause pride or exaltation either. They are gifts given by God, not owned or earned by those having them. All are fit together by God into one Body with Jesus Christ as Head.
The bottom line is to live together with each other in genuine love and harmony. We are to serve one another and God with our giftings and giving and speaking and leadership gifts. We need each other and complement one another. We all have the choice of using our gifts or hiding them. God encourages us to use them to serve each other and Him. We must hate and resist evil and love and cling to what is good. Love in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit empowers us with gifts and the heart to serve willingly!
Have you taken time to examine what gifts God has given you to serve others? Are you envious of the gifts of others? What steps might be useful today in your life to show genuine love for others in Christ’s body, the Church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for making each of us special and different in giftings. Forgive me when I have been jealous or envious of others abilities and gifts. Fill me with the love of the Holy Spirit and help me to use my giftings and abilities to humbly serve others with joy. You are worthy of my service! Amen.
Keep your spiritual fervor!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Romans 12
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 12:9-14 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Paul gave practical advice to the believers in Rome about how to live in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. The church was to be a community of heaven, under King Jesus. This community was to be marked by sincere love. This love would hate what was evil and cling to what was good. It would be marked by the standards set by Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture. This love would not tolerate living in the sinful lifestyles of the world but would zealously serve the Lord. They would honor each other as those made in God’s image–both male and female! They would be joyful in hope and patient in affliction through constant contact with their King through prayer! They would share with each other and practice hospitality to those in need. This advice sounds like a description of Jesus Christ!
Observations for over-comers: Spiritual fervor flows from a holy life of service to the King. The best defense is a good offense of living a life of sincere love towards God and others with patience and faith. “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” (Proverbs 19:2)
God’s mercy inspires devotion!
Scripture reading for June 30th: Romans 12
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) Paul had warned the Gentile believers and churches severely concerning their continuance in the kindness of God. God would not show favorites! He cut off the Jews who did not believe in Christ or continue in faith and He would also judge believers who fell away from trusting in God’s mercy!
“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
It is God’s mercy to us that inspires our devotion. As we understand how good and kind God has been to us through the sacrifice of His Son, we offer our bodies to Him as a sacrifice. Christ was the final blood sacrifice, and now in the New Testament times we are urged to willingly become ‘living sacrifices’! We no longer use our bodies to promote our selfish desires but learn what pleases God through prayer and studying His Word.
Our minds must be renewed because our thinking determines our actions! In order to test and approve God’s good and perfect will, we must train our minds by studying and memorizing His word. Through a dedicated body and a renewed mind that is transformed to think God’s thoughts we will please Him and continue in His mercy!