020326 Meditational Nuggets from Romans 12 KJV
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Words to ponder: Reasonable Service
Romans 12:1-5 KJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Therefore… conclusively, Paul gave to his hearers these message; in this manner where it did not only addressed those early believers, but in anticipation that what challenges or temptations they encountered, are fighting and might face pertaining to high-mindedness might also be encountered by all believers who will come after them from generations to generation. Mostly in high-mindedness, boastfulness and pride, which was profoundly addressed in the previous chapter.(we studied for three session)
Which is very true. Most of the time, when we are well-learned and well experienced believers of CHRIST, that some of us think highly than we ought to think.
There are certain extremely dangerous truth we must put in mind for us to beware:
• over-familiarity leads to behavioral corruption
• obsessive fanaticism leads to barbaric collaboration
• Overbearing faith leads to bureaucratic coercion
No one should be above another; even our LORD exemplified on how we must serve by washing the feet of His apostles. The Apostle Paul besought all believers to present our bodies a living sacrifice:
• our mind should be under subjection to the words of CHRIST
• our heart should be in submission to the ways of JESUS
• our whole body should be in the service to the works for the LORD.
Always consider that, being a part of the body of CHRIST, whatever we do it will affect the others who also try hard to do their best to please GOD. If we err and turn ourselves from the LORD, others will be affected and discouraged. If we did right getting involve ourselves to sincerely serve, others will be strengthen and become blessed.
May we always see ourselves walking with all pleasing in the sight of our Loving GOD.
Romans 12:6-9 KJV
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
All of us human being were born with natural ability, that as we grow, it slowly appears to be something special we adhere or love to do; activities and works we are passionate to do with skillfulness, giving all our strength and perseverance to achieve high a level of performance. Not willing to just do it, but with applaudable level of satisfaction.
From these verses are written the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT given to each one, according to the honed skills the LORD imparted to our beings. What we are naturally born, GOD will enhance it the more; if we submit ourselves in the service of the LORD.
Apostle Paul explicitly encourage us all believers to offer to the LORD that skills GOD has given to us. We must always keep in mind, all we are and all we have are from the LORD; it should be used not just for us to gain approval of others, but for the glorification of our Master Giver.
Mentioned here are the services we are called to offer:
• Prophesying- from the root word prophet, who prophesy on the things that must come; we who can share the good news to others must prophesy (preach) the word of GOD according to the proportion of faith: which means the entrance of the gospel must be situational or according to the given occasion.
• Ministry- these pertains to the works we must take part according to our skills or ability. Whether it be cooking, cleaning, finance, administrative or help, we should do it with cares, concerns and commitment.
• Teaching- teachers who are willing to be taught, analyze, evaluate, prayerfully asking guidance from the HOLY SPIRIT. So that the sound doctrine we teach others we also practice.
• Exhortation- those who encourage, might be in singing, in instrumental playing, or even those who greet with handshake, must do it with joy of the Spirit .
• Giving- with simplicity, means out of the goodness of our heart as the LORD blesses us, we give back what is due to the LORD , and the offering we must give should be without bragging and without conceit, but with gladness and gratefulness.
• Rulers- must rule with diligence; ruling first yourself in discipline and in orderliness.
• Shewing mercy - this means sharing others burden with cheerfulness so that they will see JESUS in us. This may be sharing to them goods, monetary help, or even giving time to listen and hear about their problem and struggles.
Love without dissimulation, means love without hidden agenda or not loving with motives. This is evil that we should abhor or refrain from. But we should cleave to the good which comes only from the LORD. A way of Christian life all of us believers must live and walk.
Let our lives be an offering indeed for the continuity of The LORD’s work.
Romans 12:10-15 KJV
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
From these verses portrays the cross of JESUS as our guide for us to follow in the aspect of our ways of living:
• verses 10,13-15 is the horizontal guidelines: while we walk to and fro, we must be careful to see those who walk with us from our left side to our right, this means we should love to care for all of those people who are within our reach.
• verses 11, 12 is our vertical guideline: we should be watchful of our relationship with the LORD; serving Him with fervency, pressing ourselves hard not to be lazy in serving Him; and that no matter what, in good times even in bad times, in joyfulness and in tears of loneliness we must bot forsake praying. this means we should love GOD above all else.
The cross of our LORD JESUS is an emblem of His love for us and His wholehearted submission and obedience to His Father GOD in Heaven.
May this be our guide in our ways of living. Love our neighbors us ourselves and love GOD above all else.
Romans 12:16-21 KJV
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
In our ways of living, these six last verses gives as a clear portrayal on how we should live our life in this world full of malignity and pride.
These teaches us on how to deal directly first our own character.
The usual connotations of natural human within us says “my reaction is just according to how you treated me”; just what verse 16 seems to be how it was written: “16 Be of the same mind one toward another.” If you treat me badly then I will give you the dose of your own medicine.”
But Apostle Paul taught us in the following sentence: “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
These then should be a pattern of how we should relate to others:
• we must lower ourselves to lift up those who are in the low state or to descend to a lesser dignified position in life. Our rank in status of life should not be felt by those who are around us. Let’s waive off the air of superiority to reach others who couldn’t attain to our level of understanding. v.16
• we must let go of the impulse to get even to those who hurt our feelings, trodden down our ego, or even to then who caused us physical harm. v17-19
• we must loosened ourselves to reach out to help in those who are in need not only to those who did good to us, but even to them who have harmed us. Let GOD do His work in avenging us from our oppressors.v.19
• we must love to always overcome evil with the goodness instilled in our heart by our loving Savior; our loving Heavenly Father.
Let GOD’s words mold our character; for in His ways we can only be sure we’re walking side by side with Him, offering to Him ourselves a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service, until we reach the door to heaven. Let us all desire to live with Him forever and ever. Amen!
Good morning🙏❤️