November 20, 2020
The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome. The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.
The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.
The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.
While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.
It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Gifts of Grace
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 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.
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- In chapter 12, Paul begins to emphasize living out faith in practical ways.
- Whatever you do, on any day of the week, presenting yourself to God for his glory, is an act of worship. How does this differ from how we often define “worship?”
- What does Paul mean when he says Christians should not think more highly of themselves?
- Do you ever struggle with the sin of pride?
- What do verses 4-8 have to say about spiritual gifts and your part in the body of Christ?
- List the characteristics of Christian living in verses 9-12.
- Do you ever struggle with forgiving those who have hurt you (v. 14)? What course of action does Paul urge in verses 17-19?
- How are we to combat evil (vv. 20-21)?
Prayer: Lord, help me to give myself to you every day as an act of worship. Let my attitudes, wants, and actions glorify you. Help me to forgive when someone has offended me. Help me to be active in returning good and kindness for evil. Continue the work you have begun in me for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. However, I want to live a life pleasing to You in every way. Help me to focus on my shortcomings and direct me in the ways You would have me to go. Take my mind off of self and place it onto others. May the words from my mouth be pleasing to You and the desires of my heart be in line with Yours. Please protect all of my children and grandchildren from harm and draw them closer to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Why have you given me another day when others have been taken home?
May I diligently seek you throughout this day, thanking you each step along the way.
I lift up my loved ones and friends who are crying out to you this day. Hear their pleas, comfort each, protect, provide, heal, and guide.
Strengthen your church not only to withstand the attacks of the devil and his minions, but to assault the gates of hell itself. It is your will, Father, that none be lost. Fill each, use each, enable each to seek and to share with one wanderer in their lives today. There may be no tomorrow.
LORD, you so loved each of your creation that you sent you son to die to cover their sins. Such good news.
May I not hesitate to share your love today.
As Jesus concluded his prayer time in the garden, he went to his trusted disciples saying, “Let’s be going…” He knew the road ahead. As I go forth this day, Father, let’s be going to help save one more for your precious son.
For it is in his name I pray,
Amen
Lord Jesus, when You come again, how many hearts will rejoice! Until then, I eagerly wait for that glorious day!
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PRAYER. PRAISE BE TO GOD.
Thank you Lord for today – another day to work and praise you our creator. Please Lord bless my work of teaching today. May my teaching bring you the honor and glory. Praise you for giving us such clear instructions in your Word. Thank you for your guidance, protection, and hearing of our pleas.
I lift those who are mourning. Please surround them with saints to comfort them.
I lift those who are fighting this virus – frontline workers, those who have the virus, and their families who are concerned. Please hear their pleas and send your healing to our land. We ask this as we strive as scripture states to be patient in tribulation. May you receive the glory and honor AMEN.
We are to renew our minds so we can know what the WILL ofGod is. It is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Forgive. Repay evil with good and be God’s light in our dark world
A living sacrifice to God is maintaining a walk with Him. If God is pleased with our lives, we will be also. It is as if Jesus says ‘lend me your body”. Our value is summed up in our relationship with Him.
I will present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is my spiritual service of worship. I will not be conformed to this world, but will be transformed by the renewal of my mind, that I may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Lord, help me live at peace with Ashely, Gabriela, Isabela, Maya, Even, my parents, siblings, coworkers, family, etc. In Jesus’ name, I will share how good you have been with me Lord, by being good to others.