Romans 12
An extremely powerful chapter that clearly instructs us how to live by loving others, using the gifts G-d has given us and being an example by letting others see G-d’s light and goodness through us.
1
And so,
dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to G-d because
of all He has done for you. Let them be
a living and holy sacrifice–the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
Whoa! Do you hear this? Our bodies are a sacrificial offering to G-d! They are given to Him as a form of worship. How are we going to present ourselves to the one true and holy G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Should our bodies be something that we take care of and keep pure and clean to be able to present to our L-rd? Or is it okay to give something less than perfect to G-d? He’s given us everything we could ever imagine out of love, so shouldn’t we do our best to give Him something He can declare is worthy and acceptable?
See also: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of G-d—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
When we hear or think about this verse, the first thing that usually comes to mind is how we present ourselves to others. But, the verse says, “ the renewing of your mind, ” so it’s not only about conforming the way we act with other people, but also our mindset. Do you need to change the way you think? Pretty much everybody should say yes to that; we shouldn’t have pride, selfishness, jealousy, or stubbornness. There are so many other things that we need to train our minds not to think like so that we can try to get as close as possible to have a mindset and attitude of Messiah. This is something that we should definitely be praying and asking G-d to help us with; He loves to see His children coming to Him for help!
Ezekiel 11:11-12, Matthew 16:26
3 Because of the grace (privilege and authority) G-d has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith G-d has given you.
This ties in with the last verse. We really should not have a proud or arrogant spirit. Now, I know that this something easier said than done; I have really struggled with this in the past (even now it’s something that I need to keep myself in check about). But when you really think about it, what can we truly be proud about that we accomplished completely on our own? Nothing. Everything we have done or achieved has been given to us by G-d to be a part of His perfect plan. We are all equals in G-d’s eyes, so why should we think differently?
2 Corinthians 10:17
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with the body of Messiah. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
These verses are so powerful! Okay, I know what you might be thinking: “this is common knowledge!” or “I’ve heard this before!” But have you ever really thought about what that means? This means we all have to work together and build each other up! You’ve most likely heard the phrase, “A team is only as good as its weakest player.” Well, it’s the same in out ‘team’ that makes up the body of Messiah! If you see another believe really falling behind and struggling with something, go talk to them and share the burden; encourage them with the word of G-d and work together so that you can learn from each other and do the best job possible for G-d.
(Sorry! I had to add this in; it just fit in perfectly! Mulan can always be related J )
6 In His grace, G-d has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if G-d has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as G-d has given you. 7If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If G-d has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
G-d has so graciously given us these wonderful gifts! Now, when parents (or really anybody) give you a present, do they give the same thing to everyone else? Not usually, if they know you really well, they will most likely shape the gift to fit you. And if other people do it, surely G-d will do so much more for us. From the very beginning of time, G-d knew exactly what gifts you would have and how you would use them, how amazing is that? For that reason, we should never be afraid to use our gifts; G-d has given them to us for a purpose. Just like the gifts others give us are meant to be used, we are encouraged to use these spiritual gifts to the fullest! We should also cultivate our gifts and ask G-d to show us how to use them to help reach out to others.
Deuteronomy 16:16-17, 1 Peter 4:10
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tight to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection (brotherly love), and take delight in honoring each other.
G-d calls us all to be lovers. Now, as I’m sure you know, this isn’t like falling in love with someone; it’s more of an act than a feeling. If people went around and just thought, “I love this person,” how will that other person receive that love if there is no action along with the thought? We can’t read other people’s minds, so we have to love others through actions and words. Share the word of G-d—this is HUGE , the best way we can love others is to show them G-d’s love)—or lend a helping hand. Build each other up. Hate what G-d hates and love what He loves. “How do I know what G-d loves and hates?” The best way to know what those things are is to read and know His word; He made it clear and not confusing so that it is easy to understand. * Remember: hate the sin, not the sinner! *Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-50, Romans 13:8-10
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the L-rd enthusiastically.
This verse needs to be a daily reminder to some of us. There are so many times that I get so lazy—or even distracted—and I end up putting off working on the things that I’m supposed to do (sound familiar?). But G-d clearly states that that is not something we should be doing. Even going to school or work is an opportunity to be a light and show G-d’s love to others; so we shouldn’t even be lazy when it comes to those things. As difficult as it seems, this verse even goes so far as to say do it enthusiastically. Everything we do should be for the L-rd, and we should do that gladly and enthusiastically; there is not room for laziness. Especially now that we are getting closer to the return of Messiah. Really, we never want to be lazy because Yeshua will come like a thief in the night, so we need to be ready for Him and give Him the welcome He deserves. Do we want to sleep through His return (kind of like the disciples in Matthew 26)? Or say, “Sorry G-d, I just didn’t feel like doing your works”? That’s a big no. Now, we aren’t perfect, so sometimes we might fall into the temptation of being lazy. The best thing to do is to pray for G-d to help us resist the temptation of laziness and weakness of spirit (His word tells us He will never give us more than we can handle).
Proverbs 26:13-16/19:15, Matthew 26:40-41
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
We have so much to hope for! For the return of Yeshua, for living in eternity with G-d, for the opportunity to reach out to the millions of lost souls, for the enemy to be defeated, and for leaving behind all evil to be surrounded by goodness in heaven. And not only should we hope, we should rejoice about it! Jump for joy with your hope and knowledge of what is to come! But, while we joyfully hope and wait, we will face many trials. This is where prayer and patience come in. If we don’t remember to have hope, patience and prayer, our short time in trials will be so much harder. They work together and we cannot let go of them.
Psalm 25:5/28:7, Proverbs 23:17-18, Jeremiah 29:11-13, James 1:12-15, 1 Peter 1:5-9
13 When G-d’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
This is another way to show your love to others (notice a pattern?). Like the Good Samaritan, when we see others in need, we should reach out and lend a hand to help in whatever way we can. We should always be grateful that G-d has chosen us to know Him and have eternal life. With this knowledge, it shouldn’t be a chore to help others in need that don’t have as much as we do. It could be a way to lead them to the greatest gift—Yeshua. We should be ready to help in whatever way needed (spiritually, physically, or even mentally). G-d has already given us so much, so it is our duty to love others and help when needed.
Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 14:21/14:31, Matthew 6:1-414 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that G-d will bless them.
Yet another verse that ties into loving others (seems important). Even the people who curse you—who may even hate you—need your love. Again, even though it might be hard, “ Don’t just pretend to love [them]. Really love them. ” More times than not, these people are really just lost, confused and hurting. You can love them by praying for that G-d blesses them with being able to knowing Him so that they might be saved. Just shower them in love (keep this in mind; comes again in a few verses J).
Luke 6:27-36
15 Be happy with those who are happy and weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do such things in a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all you can to live in peace with everyone.
Like in verse 3, don’t be proud and arrogant; G-d can teach us lessons through anything, so be content wherever G-d puts you (with whoever and whatever). G-d really just wants us to live in unity with one another and not let the petty things of this world distract us from eternal life with Him. A way to be a role model to others who might need the guidance is to show G-d’s light and be honorable. If you can help it, don’t let anyone be able to say something bad about you (things that are true—sometimes people may be cruel and spread lies, but you can’t help that and the only thing you can do is pray for them and the situation). Even though G-d is the only judge, we can pull people in if we always act in goodness, mercy and kindness. Act in integrity and be honorable so that people can see G-d’s light in you, which can lead them to Him.
Psalm 48:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 1 Peter 3:8-12
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of G-d. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the L-rd (Deuteronomy 32:35). 20Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads” (Proverbs 25:21-22). 21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
We have a holy and just G-d. He will give to everyone what he or she deserves. It is not our place to give them our own form or thoughts of justice. If we act out in revenge, then we are no better than them and there will be consequences. We can also show G-d’s love by “ [blessing] those who persecute [us] ”. When people wrong you, they expect a reaction and retaliation, so it can melt or change their hearts if they receive love and kindness instead of anger and bitterness.
Leviticus 19:18, Jeremiah 25:14, 1 Peter 3:13-14, Revelation 2:23
I hope this touches your heart and that you go forth loving others and seeking help from G-d when you need it!
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