Romans 12:1-21
A person’s heart is found in sin, but a Christian is dead in sin. As Christians, we do not have to struggle alone because we have the Word of God. With daily communion with God in prayers and feeding on His Word, we draw strength from God (Jer 33:3).
Romans 12 portrays our relationship with God, our brethren and the world.
v 1: The mind is not independent of the body but is in sync as one whole body. It is often mistaken that the mind can to be pure and the body, naturally evil. There is no way to claim salvation when one is still abusing his body. Be it our thoughts, words and actions, we should be aware that God is watching.
v 2: Transformed, not conformed, is the keyword to change in mind- renewing. Only by transformation of renewed minds, can we become obedient to the will of God.
v 3: Wonderful grace is given by the Lord through His mercies. We are not to take this for granted. Self-esteem does not appear when we consider ourselves to be of no value. How should we perceive our worth? By the price paid for our souls. We are sons and daughters of the King by adoption. Our glory is in Christ. Think soberly considering the gift of faith which allows us to hear the call of Christ when we are bound by nature in the path of evil. God has given us the call of the Spirit that we can respond by the measure of faith. Praise God for the opening of doors to His Kingdom.
v 4-8: (re: 1 Cor 12:12 – 27) The body of Christ is one body. But the body is not one member but many. We have different gifts but are united as of one body (v 16). And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? if the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? how shall we say if the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand,, I am not of the body.
There should be no alienation from other members but we are to show genuine love for one another in Christ.
v 9-15: We are to pray for love that is without pretense or hypocrisy but to love in truth and honesty. We must have genuine love for one another.
Remembering we are dead in sin, neither should we let our pride or human nature take the centre-stage of our mind. We respect our fellow brethren, without compromising with the terms of the world.
We must fully utilize the talents which God has given us.
Our prayers must be unceasing.
v 16-19: At times, we may do our best to be peaceful but are hated because of our Christian principles.
Let specific wrath give room to wrath of God. Let Him take care of the person you are angry with. Vengeance is of the Lord’s. God will take care of it. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we must remember that God is taking care of us. We must rest in His decision about what is best.
v 20-21: Our returning good for evil may help our enemy see his need and turn to the God we love and serve. This is in contrast to revenge. The natural response to evil is to return evil but it is never taught in the Bible, we shall not render evil for evil.
What shall we say or do when we see Christ? Have we, like Paul, kept the faith, fought a good fight for the Lord? Till we see the Lord face to face, we shall renew our mind and body, tuning in sync as one towards Christ.
Romans 12 portrays our relationship with God, our brethren and the world.
v 1: The mind is not independent of the body but is in sync as one whole body. It is often mistaken that the mind can to be pure and the body, naturally evil. There is no way to claim salvation when one is still abusing his body. Be it our thoughts, words and actions, we should be aware that God is watching.
v 2: Transformed, not conformed, is the keyword to change in mind- renewing. Only by transformation of renewed minds, can we become obedient to the will of God.
v 3: Wonderful grace is given by the Lord through His mercies. We are not to take this for granted. Self-esteem does not appear when we consider ourselves to be of no value. How should we perceive our worth? By the price paid for our souls. We are sons and daughters of the King by adoption. Our glory is in Christ. Think soberly considering the gift of faith which allows us to hear the call of Christ when we are bound by nature in the path of evil. God has given us the call of the Spirit that we can respond by the measure of faith. Praise God for the opening of doors to His Kingdom.
v 4-8: (re: 1 Cor 12:12 – 27) The body of Christ is one body. But the body is not one member but many. We have different gifts but are united as of one body (v 16). And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? if the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? how shall we say if the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand,, I am not of the body.
There should be no alienation from other members but we are to show genuine love for one another in Christ.
v 9-15: We are to pray for love that is without pretense or hypocrisy but to love in truth and honesty. We must have genuine love for one another.
Remembering we are dead in sin, neither should we let our pride or human nature take the centre-stage of our mind. We respect our fellow brethren, without compromising with the terms of the world.
We must fully utilize the talents which God has given us.
Our prayers must be unceasing.
v 16-19: At times, we may do our best to be peaceful but are hated because of our Christian principles.
Let specific wrath give room to wrath of God. Let Him take care of the person you are angry with. Vengeance is of the Lord’s. God will take care of it. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we must remember that God is taking care of us. We must rest in His decision about what is best.
v 20-21: Our returning good for evil may help our enemy see his need and turn to the God we love and serve. This is in contrast to revenge. The natural response to evil is to return evil but it is never taught in the Bible, we shall not render evil for evil.
What shall we say or do when we see Christ? Have we, like Paul, kept the faith, fought a good fight for the Lord? Till we see the Lord face to face, we shall renew our mind and body, tuning in sync as one towards Christ.
Pr Dennis Kwok
No comments:
Post a Comment