Romans 12

First read all of this passage (this is the New King James Version):

Romans 12

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to 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 set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Throughout this summer, I have visited many different churches. I am remaining a member of my current church, as God has shown me that He wants me to serve there still. However, He's given me a great gift by telling me to explore and seek out answers to my questions...and He truly has guided my search. This morning is no different.

First let me say that the two passages that have greatly been central to my life over the last 6 months has been the entire book of Matthew with emphasis on Jesus' preaching and Romans 12 (with a bit of Acts mixed in). Today, I want to share some revelations on Romans 12 that have shaped me and are continuing to shape me.

About a month and 1/2 ago, a friend of mine gave me verses in Romans 12 in sharing what she thought of me and my gifts. They were very kind words and thoughts....but they were words and thoughts that I did not believe I reflected well at all...I wished to reflect what she thought of me but I just didnt' believe that I could be thought of in that light ever. I have flaws like everyone else and I see those stronger than my strengths.

But God has changed my heart and has shown me what He truly meant for me to learn through my friend's comments and revelation about me through her eyes...because what she was really doing is seeing me through God's eyes. She was His vessel to me for this particular lesson that I needed to learn.

Anyway, it made me focus not only on those verses but on the context of the entire passage...all of chapter 12 in Romans. I highlighted a few of those passages that kept leaping from the page as I studied it. And as I listened to the sermon this morning (not at my church of membership but the one I visited this morning), the entire passage of Romans 12 jumped out to me again.

There are so many lessons to be learned from that passage...but the lesson that really stood out was that of being unique and being part of a whole, yet important all on your own, too. Too often, we get so wrapped up in the spiritual gift part of this passage that we don't see the whole context of what the writer of Romans is trying to get across. We are to be all of who God hand-knitted us to be. We are not to be anyone else or have anyone else's gifts. But we are to be available at all times to be used by God in any way. We all have spiritual gifts that God has blessed us with and we need to use those for His service...He has given them to each of us individually and uniquely because He made us and meant for us to have that gift to use for His purpose right where we are at....wherever we are at the moment.

Too often we look at other's gifts and want what someone else has...just like coveting our neighbors... the no-no of Commandment 10. It is not wrong to seek out each gift; we must do that to fully know the ones that God has given us; it is also good to be available for God to use us surprisingly by using one of the Spiritual gifts we don't normally have whenever He needs for us to have it. But I think we forget that no matter the spiritual gifts we have, that we are all part of one body that goes beyond the borders - or should I say the buildings - of our church.

Honestly, there are churches out there that are more cultish than spiritual or seeking God's will...but there is no perfect church either. However, we have a responsibility to other believers around the world to be a part of the whole...no matter what church they attend. And it's important to have accountability (not judgement; that's another blog for another time) as God has made known we are to "come together" in support of each other and in worship to Him. We are not meant to be alone in more than one way...this is included in that.

Regardless of where we serve, there is one thing we all have to remember we have in common: Jesus is the Son of the Living God, He sacrificed himself so that all our sins are covered...and that God loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son to create a bridge for us to never ever be separated from Him again. In Jesus' place, God left us the Holy Spirit to guide us in a personal relationship with Him. This is the Trinity. And the Trinity is based on great love for all of us, His creation.

At the end of each day - and might I suggest, the beginning too - that this is the whole Truth. That everything else we fight over or disagree with isn't as important as remembering this. That if we truly know and understand this one thing and live our lives in such a way that reflects this kind of love that God has given us...everything else will fall into place. Because as Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:34-40:

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[d] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[e] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Even the secular world knows that Love is what makes the world go round. So why do we, as Christians, knowing and believing in this Great Love, have such a hard time showing it or giving it or using what we have to give and show it?

That is not a question I need anyone to answer for me...but it is one we should all find a way to answer in our own lives. How can you love God's people? He is and will always be the only One who can help you answer that question.

What will you do today to show love to someone...to serve Him...and help His people?