April 3, 2024
Romans 12
Living in the world has cause all of us to live a certain way. Now that we are in Christ, we must change the way we live and think. New believers will need guidance. It is far too easy to respond with “why” questions or “what are you doing” questions without the training to believe, by faith, that God knows best. Paul begins to give practical advice, positive considerations for us to live by for those who are in Christ or are “new” in Christ.
The beginning of this epistle, Paul writes of those who desecrate their bodies for the brief satisfaction of “disgraceful pleasures”, chapter 1:26, with no remorse of their sin and no gratefulness for the long suffering and blessings from God, so God delivered those people over to their lusts and a corrupt mind. Jesus said, “But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person”, Matthew 15:18. Being delivered to a corrupt mind becomes the result as we view how people respond to the various things that happen in their lives. These people want nothing to do with God because they would be of the offspring of Satan, Genesis 3:15. To illustrate this Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.” John 8:43-44. Oh yes, Satan has offspring, and he has taken all of us captive at one time until “God grants us repentance leading us to the knowledge of truth that we may come to our senses.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26.
Repentance of our sin begins in our heart and repentance will lead to a person’s changed actions. They see the filth of themselves and begin to change because the spirit will lead them down certain paths, Proverbs 16:9. Repentance becomes a form of circumcision in the heart as a sign that we have surrendered to Jesus and now follow His ways, as explained about Abraham and his faithful walk in chapter 4. Now, the word “therefore” becomes the tie-in for all those who have read or heard, who are reading it now, and who will read the book of Romans and all of scripture that salvation is not an act of things to do but is a belief that we are sinful people, that we cannot remove the sin of our hearts, which can be hidden to everyone but God, and that we need a Savior. As it is written, “I urge you” to consider the mercies of God towards you, verse 1, by considering the consequences from the previous chapters.
In leading up to chapter 12, we talked about the nation of Israel and that some who were born into Israel are not Israel and some born not into Israel were adopted into Israel. We discussed the lost being given over to the lust of their hearts creating total depravity and the hope Paul’s letter in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 which gives us insight that we who hear the gospel of Christ, believe and change from our “dishonorable ways, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” We are all not equal in gifts from God for this good work but each gift is our blessing to utilize, by the Spirit, to the glory of Jesus. As Paul writes this, he compares the body of Christ to our bodies, which makes good sense! For example, the heart does not take in oxygen, that is done by the lungs, but the heart transfers the oxygen to all parts of the body. The gift of the lungs is to provide oxygen, the gift of the heart is to disperse the oxygen so the body will live. Let’s take this concept in building the kingdom of God. The Spirit provides the conviction, by hearing the Word of God, for the individual to be saved and He does the saving. The conviction, by hearing the Word of God, would be compared to the oxygen entering the body. The Word of God would be compared to the heart of man delivering the oxygen to the rest of the body, causing a “new heart” that disperse new life to the born-again man/woman. Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Now we are part of the body of Christ and as part, our gifts will be used to disperse the new life in Christ to others. Paul gives us, therefore, by the Spirit, actions to do, attitudes to have, and beliefs to pursue. These do not come easy without the help of the Holy Spirit and even with the Holy Spirit’s help, the flesh does get tired. In my weakness I am reminded that “Christ’ grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
These Christian ethics can best be lived with you studying God’s word, with you in prayer, with you being “transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God,” is for your growth for the sake of Christ. The Advocate will guide you; you will not be alone, John 14:15-17.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, indeed, in my weakness Your power is perfected! Thank you for my weakness and Your continued sustenance. Thank You again for this study and the deeper walk we get with You with each study. Your word says all things come from You, to be used through You, only to be returned back to You so I pray that each of us in this study achieved learning from You, to help us grow in you to be returned to honor You, our Lord, Jesus.
Amen
-David Mroz
