Romans 12 Bible Study

First, recapping the first 11 chapters.

1. We are all in trouble – We’re all sinners and doomed 2) The solution is not works/law/better behavior – but Christ – Free Gift of Grace 3) We learn just who this gift is for 4) Now we talk about behavior/Works. Last.

We not talking about having churchy religious works (door to door knocking, being in plays, watching kids, going the farthest distance to share the Gospel), but rather works of love (helping the poor, lifting people up, helping people in need, showing love, and most of all works of faith-like Abraham & his son, Rahab the prostitute helping the messengers escape)

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

I AGREE. But note the previous verses 15-16 ‘if a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

The point is if God is in us we will have works. But before we get hung up on works lets rewind to remember what Paul said in Chapter 4

Romans 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

“Will” means to “want to”. Not make you do, or get out of your comfort zone. You will WANT to do things that God Himself wills you to do. You will supernaturally trust him (Abraham killing his son).

But the moment we place works above faith we make a mistake. Push faith, and that’s what God will use to get works!. Works do not produce faith so why would you push them.

Let’s Begin – Romans 12

12Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

A living sacrifice cannot be accepted by God unless it’s perfect and holy. That’s the new you. All of you, body, soul, and Spirit. Sin is NOT a PART of you.

99% of our worship has NOTHING to do with singing. It comes from our bodies. Your mouth. Hands. Feet.

 ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

You are new at the core. Now you’re renewing your mind to walk in the Spirit, and not the old way (flesh).

For Christians is not the old expression “you have it up here, but not in your heart”. It’s the opposite. It’s in your heart and it’s what you REALLY want, and your mind is spending a lifetime transforming and realizing it.

³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. ⁴ For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Like feet, nose, eyes, we are all different and serve different.

 ⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy,  according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ever heard stuff like “ it’s great that you give to the needy BUT you need to do…….too”. Let God lead you. Not human wisdom, which sounds religious but isn’t also from God.

But whatever we do God wants us to be DILIGENT and CHEERFUL. Not just sit there and do nothing.

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; ^[j]give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹ not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit,

Fervent in SPIRIT – He did not say flesh. God leads it. Let Him.

serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints,  practicing hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

This verse sometimes gets used to abuse Christians. Suggesting that we take a beating and keep on going. But the message is so long as it depends on you, and sometimes it just doesn’t depend on you. Be in peace but don’t stand around to get beat down.

 ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Trust that Vengeance is Gods and you’ll have huge rest. He will literally take care of you. He will heap burning coals on your enemy’s head! Your anger steals your joy. Hate steals your peace. Evil Steals your rest.

Feel so certain that God can destroy your enemy that you can’t help but pray that they repent and not suffer God’s wrath, which in turn you’ll overcome feelings of evil with feelings of love.

See Entire Romans Series  Below

Romans 1 - WatchRomans 2 - WatchRomans 3 - WatchRomans 4 - WatchRomans 5 - WatchRomans 6 - WatchRomans 7 - WatchRomans 8 - WatchRomans 9 - WatchRomans 10 - WatchRomans 11 - WatchRomans 12 - WatchRomans 13 - WatchRomans 14 - WatchRomans 15-16 - Watch