Romans 12

Romans 12:1

Almost invariably, Paul began his Epistles dealing with the position we have as believers. That is, he addressed doctrine before he dealt with duty. Sad to say, such is not the case all too often in the church today. The result? A legalistic guilt trip that is very foreign to the nature and message of Jesus Christ. When, however, the concepts of doctrine precede the call to duty, we understand that the work is done, that we are righteous in Christ, and that there is nothing more to do to get close to the Lord, or to enjoy the blessing of the Lord.

The result? We find ourselves saying, “Far out! Lord, in light of what You did for me, I want to serve You.” And that is why, after spending eleven chapters talking about man’s ruined condition and God’s rich salvation, in chapter 12, Paul begins to encourage us to start serving Him. Whenever you come to the word “therefore,” stop and ask, what it’s there for. It’s as if Paul is saying, “In light of the previous eleven chapters, in light of the previous three hundred and fifteen verses, in light of who you are in Christ and what you enjoy because of Christ, I beseech you.” Give yourself to Him completely. Why? Because of what He did for you. Truly, it’s reasonable to give yourself to the Lord, to say, “I’m laying my life down for You, Lord, because You gave Yourself for me. You have great things awaiting me. And I don’t want to miss any of them now or eternally.” Every one of us is in one of two categories: Either we’re conformers or transformers. Right now you’re either trying to figure out what she’s wearing, what he’s driving, or how you can fit in and be coolor, like J. B. Phillips, you’re saying, “I don’t care what the world is doing. I’m not going to let it squeeze me into its mold.” Are you a thermometeradjusting to the temperature of the culture, or are you a thermostatchanging the climate of the culture? If you are a conformer, a thermometer, you’re in for perpetual frustration because by the time you take the temperature and figure out what’s hot, by the time you change your look, or buy the car, or redo your housethe world will have moved on, leaving you out of style. Truly, this is a great mystery to a lot of Christians. They try to make their ministries relatable by analyzing what the world is doing in order to emulate it. But by the time they figure it out and implement it, the world has moved on. That’s why Christians are known for being out of style. What’s the key? Don’t be a thermometer. Be a thermostat. Don’t be a conformer. Be a transformer. Say, “I’m in a whole different place than you are, world. I’m living for eternity. I’m preparing for heaven.” The word translated “transformed” is the word for “metamorphosis.” Interestingly, it is used two other times in the New Testamentone to describe what happened to Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration when He began to shine (Mat_17:2); and once to describe what happens to us when we see the Lord (2Co_3:18). How are we transformed? How are we metamorphosed? Read on. Just as Jesus was metamorphosed, so, too, you can be changed if you keep your mind on Him. How do we keep our minds on Him? By keeping in the Word. “Lo, I have come in the volume of the book,” Scripture declares concerning Jesus (see Psa_40:7 and Heb_10:7). You see, I can give my body to Himthat’s a real key. But it’s incomplete in and of itself unless I keep my mind on Himand that happens through a diligent contemplation of the “volume of the book,” the Word. However, you can read your Bible every morning for devotions; you can study it with us every Wednesday night; you can know the Word backward and forward and not go through a metamorphosis. Indeed, Paul would say that, in and of itself, the letter kills (2Co_3:6). If you read the Scriptures just to get insights into theology, or practical tips about parenting or relationships, metamorphosis will not take place because transformation occurs only when we study the Word not for the sake of the Word, but in order to touch the Lord. “In the beginning,” John wrote, “was the Word…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Joh_1:1, Joh_1:14). It’s the Incarnationthe Word becoming flesh, becoming personable, touchable, and relatablethat will transform you. If you approach the Word strictly from an intellectual, academic, theological perspective, you might gain a point or two, but you’ll not be changed. At the stereotypical American breakfast table, the husband reads the newspaper. Across from him sits his wife, waiting to talk with him. But the man is interested in the impartation of information, not the intimacy of communicationand I suggest the same thing happens all too often in the devotional life of believers. They read the information in the Word but completely neglect communication with the Word made flesh. I am concerned about the great number of people who have a devotional life that is basically informational. Only in the last couple of generations has this happened, because throughout the vast majority of Christian history, Bible study was neither academic nor theological.

It was oral. It was relational as people heard the Word being read. Communication transpired as the Living Word was fleshed out in real life. Those who say, “Lord, I’m reading Your Word in order to hear Your voice” are those who leave their time of devotion metamorphosedsoaring like a butterflies. God’s Will: So Simple! A Topical Study of Rom_12:1-2 I suppose that, as a pastor, the question asked of me more often than any other is: How do I find God’s will for my life? This question is based upon the presupposition that God’s will is something hidden, lost, or hard to determine. But, gang, nothing could be further from the truth. God’s will is not something that has to be found. It isn’t lost. It’s not hidden. It shouldn’t be tough to discern. In our text today, in only two verses, Paul tells you and me exactly what to do to discover God’s plan for our life. It’s profoundly simple and incredibly wonderful. The word translated “prove” in Rom_12:2 is a word not of academics, but of intimacyas in Gen_4:1, where Scripture records that Adam “knew” Eve. This doesn’t mean Adam knew about Eve intellectually. It means he knew her intimately. And this is what Paul is declaring to us. You can know God’s will intimately. You can know it not only intellectually but experientially if you do a couple of things… Give Yourself to the Lord I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.Rom_12:1 “Well, that disqualifies me,” you say. “My body is anything but holy. Therefore, how can it be acceptable?” This is where a lot of people get discouraged unnecessarily. They say, “Until my body is holy and acceptable, I really can’t offer it as a living sacrifice.” But that’s because they failed to read the most important word of the verse: “I beseech you, therefore, brethren.” In this case, “therefore” is in reference to the first eleven chapters, wherein Paul makes it clear that when you became a Christian, God placed you in His Son, making you at once holy and acceptable in His sight. Therefore, the first step to finding God’s will is to present your body a living sacrifice to Him. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? It means to say, “Lord, I’m Yours. I love You more than anything else I might pursue.” The problem, however, with a living sacrifice, unlike a dead one, is that a living sacrifice has a tendency to climb off the altar regularly. I squirm and escape not infrequently. Thus, I need to continually return and say, “Oh, Lord, on this new and beautiful day, I again give You my life. I’m tired of trying to figure out where I should go or what I should be. I’ve messed up time and time again. I’ve gone my own way and done my own thingand it’s been disastrous. I give up, Lord. Take my life.” That’s the first step to experiencing God’s will. Be Transformed And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Rom_12:2 The word translated “transformed” is metamorphoo, from which we get our word “metamorphosis.” Metamorphoo also appears in Matthew 17, when it is used to describe the change that took place in the appearance of Jesus as He began to glow on the Mount of Transfiguration. When was Jesus metamorphosed, or transformed? When He spoke to Moses and Elijah about His death (Luk_9:31), when He spoke about laying down His life sacrificially. How do you become transformed? Become a living sacrifice to the Lord and keep your mind on the Lord. “Don’t be conformed to the world’s thinking,” warns Paul. “Instead, give your mind to God, and you will know His good, acceptable, and perfect will.” “That sounds good,” you say. “But how does it work for me practically, in my situation presently?” When the disciples were wondering what was going on, what was coming down, what was next, Jesus looked at them and said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. I’m going to prepare a place for youthat where I am, there you may be also. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come and receive you unto Myself. And where I go you know, and the way you know” (Joh_14:1-4). Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where You’re going, and we don’t know the way” (see Joh_14:5). And Jesus said to those confused, distressed, disturbed disciples on the night before His crucifixion “I am the Way. You know the way. It’s Me. It’s not information I give to you; it’s who I’ll be for you” (see Joh_14:6). If my granddaughter wanted to know the way to her Sunday-school class, I could say, “Listen, go up those stairs; turn left; go down the ramp; turn right; go up the walkway; and after about forty feet, you’ll see another set of stairs. Go up the stairs and down the hall to the third door. After you get inside, take a left; go about fifteen more feetand you’re there.” OrI could pick her up, put her on my shoulders and carry her to his class. What a great day it is when, at last, the light goes on, the bells ring in our spiritual understanding, and we realize that we don’t need to get directions or follow instructions from the Lordwe just need to climb on His shoulders and let Him be the Way. As you let Jesus be the Way, Col_3:15 says His peace will rule in your heart. The word translated “rule” is a Greek word that speaks of a sports official, so Christ’s peace will act as an umpire in your heartcalling every thought or action “safe” or “out.” Not only that, but His will will be written in your heart (Jer_31:33; Heb_10:16). No longer will you struggle with or wonder about what you should do. With His will imprinted upon your heart, you can follow your heart’s desire and know that it is God’s will for you. “My heart’s desire is to go to Mexico and work in a mission.” Great! That is God’s will for you. “My heart’s desire is to go windsurfing.” Go for it! “My heart’s desire is to ask her to marry me.” Do it! “B-b-but what if it’s not God’s will?” If it’s not God’s will, she’ll tell you to pack sand, because He said, “I will open doors no man can close, and close doors no man can open (see Rev_3:7). “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart,” wrote the psalmist (see Psa_37:4). To “delight thyself in the Lord” simply means to have a good time with Him. Give your body to Him; keep your mind on Him; climb on His shoulders and enjoy the ride. Suddenly, you’ll have desires in your heart that will constitute His will for your life. You see, I am simple enough to believe that if I just delight in Him, He will change my desires to conform to His perfect plan. I just hang on to Him and let Him work within me the desires He sees would be His best will for my life. Look again at Psalms 37. The first words of verses Psa_37:1-7 spell it out perfectly: Fret not (verse Psa_37:1), for (verse Psa_37:2), trust (verse Psa_37:3), delight (verse Psa_37:4), commit (verse Psa_37:5), and (verse Psa_37:6) rest (verse Psa_37:7). Stay on the shoulders of the One who said, “I am the Way. It’s not a plan I give to you. It’s who I am for you. I am God’s will. Cling to Me. Give yourself to Me. Keep your mind on Meand you’ll end up right where you’re supposed to be vocationally, relationally, in every way. I am the Way. You’ll see.”

Romans 12:3

“Be careful,” warns Paul. “As you discover and live in the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, be sober. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Fifteen years old, and dressed in suit and tie, I headed for the San Jose Rescue Mission, twelve-page sermon on the eschatological significance of Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree in hand. At about page six, I could hear the shuffling of feet, see the nodding of heads, and feel the rumbling of stomachs, for, as I later discovered, only those who listened to the sermon could partake of the meal. By page seven, I knew I was in trouble. On page eight, as I was perspiring and turning red in embarrassment, one gentleman in the back row called out, “Hey, you overgrown tomatosit down!” I sat down and lost my place before even making it to page nine. “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought,” warned Paul. If you do, the Lord has ways of bringing you back down to earth! God can use anyone to do His work. If you don’t think so, ask Balaam (Num_22:28)!

Romans 12:4

Brother Hammer was appointed to preside over the Master Tool Convention. Brother Screwdriver objected, saying, “Brother Hammer, you’re too noisy to preside over this meeting. You’re always driving home your point, always nailing people. I call for your resignation immediately.” Brother Hammer responded, “Well, what about you, Brother Screwdriver? All you ever do is spin around in circles.” “That may be true,” said Brother Screwdriver, “but at least I’m not like Brother Plane. His work is so surface, so shallow. What right does he have to even be here?” “If you’re going to kick me out,” protested Brother Plane, “what about Brother Ruler? He thinks he’s always right, measuring everyone else by his standard.” “Well, if you’re going to come down on me,” argued Brother Ruler, “what about Brother Pliers? He needs to get a grip!” “At least I don’t rub people the wrong way,” said Brother Pliers, staring at Brother Sandpaper.” Just then, the Master Craftsman walked in. And, as He used each tool at the perfect time, He created an object of great beauty. A lot of times, we look at the gifts of other people and the way God made them, and we think, She’s shallow, or, He rubs me the wrong way, or, They’re too noisyuntil we finally come to the point where we understand that there are many members in the bodyeach one with a part to play, a function to fulfill.

Romans 12:6

This is the only time in Scripture where spiritual gifts are spoken of directly. “Wait a minute,” you say. “What about 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, and Ephesians 4?” Look at those passages, and you will see that the word “gifts” is in italics, meaning it was not present in the original Greek. You see, the gifts listed here in Romans are the motivational gifts, the manifestations of which are listed in 1 Corinthians 12, and the ministries of which are found in Ephesians 4. That is why you will see that the list of gifts here in Romans 12 contains the motivational gift that God, by His grace, has given every believer. As we become open to the Spirit, He adds the manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), as well as ministry in the Spirit (Ephesians 4). As Paul lists the motivational giftsthe tools in the box of the Master Carpenterhe divides them into two groups: those that expound the Word (verses Rom_12:6-8), and those that expand the work (Rom_12:8). The first motivational gift Paul discusses is prophecy. Prophecy means more than foretelling. It primarily means “forth-telling"expounding the Word, declaring truth. The Word burns within the heart of those with the gift of prophecy. They know what should be shared and feel a pressing need to speak out.

Romans 12:7

Prophecy declares truth. Ministry depicts truth. Jesus modeled this over and over again when He would first teach and then touch. He would teach truth and then touch people as an illustration of what He taught. Ministering simply means serving. I think of Dorcas in Acts 9. When she died, the early church went into an upheaval. Why was she so loved? Because she was a minister in the truest sense of the word. Others declared truth and warmed people’s hearts; Dorcas depicted truth by sewing people’s garments and warming their bodies. A teacher defines truth. A prophet might share sporadically; but a teacher shares systematically. “You’ve heard it said of old, you’re not to commit adultery. But let Me define what that means,” said Jesus (see Mat_5:27-28). And people marveled, for He taught with authority.

Romans 12:8

Exhortation develops truth. The one with the gift of exhortation is often one who gives a kick in the proverbial seat of the pants. “O, ye of little faith,” Jesus said when His disciples were fearful in the storm” (Mat_8:26). How I need brothers and sisters who come by me with a word of exhortation. Yes, sometimes they irritate mebut they’re needed very definitely! Giving expands the work. Giving with simplicity means giving with no strings attached. “I want to know where this money’s going,” some demand. “I’ll only give if it goes here, or for that, or if you agree to do this.” Don’t give that way. Rather, give with simplicity. “Simplicity” can also be translated “liberality.” Maybe God has blessed you with the gift of giving. If so, exercise it with generosity! The winner of the “Best Use of Duct Tape” contest used duct tape to patch the wing of the plane he flew from Guatemala to Honduras. There are people in the body like that. They know how to patch things up. They know how to make things fly. They have a feeling for how things should happen. Theirs is the gift of ruling, of governing, of doing all things decently and in orderexemplified beautifully in the life of Jesus and seen practically when He instructed His disciples to make the multitude sit in groups of fifty in order that He could feed them (Luk_9:14). If you’re expanding the work by giving, do it generously and with simplicity. If you’re expanding the work by ruling, do it diligently. If you’re expanding the work by showing mercy, do it cheerfully. Those who care for people in the hospital, those who sympathize with those going through a traumatic relational experience, or those who cry with those experiencing the heartbreak of divorce have the gift of mercy. If you wish to study these things further, look at Jesus. See how He ministered mercy; how He ruled diligently; how He gave sacrificially; how He moved in prophecy. Study Jesus, and you’ll find the perfect example of how these gifts are to function in His body of believers. I believe the Lord is looking for an army of sharpshooters who will zero in on their target and say, “This is where I function,” as they make the development and exercise of their spiritual gift their priority and passion. How can you know which gift is yours? I believe the answer is amazingly simple: If you suddenly became pastor of Applegate Christian Fellowship, what changes would you make? If you would grab the microphone and call the fellowship to activism, if you would try to get folks fired up to share the gospel, if you have a burden to speak forth God’s Word to a hurting society, chances are yours is the gift of prophecy. If, on the other hand, you would divide the fellowship into small groups in order that members of the body might serve one another and meet one another’s spiritual needs, yours is most likely the gift of ministry. If, given the opportunity, you would lead the fellowship in a study of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, of homiletics and hermeneutics, of eschatology and ecclesiology, yours is probably the gift of teaching. If your primary concern would be funding worthy causes for needy people, if your energy would be spent organizing bake sales and car washes, yours is the gift of giving. If your heart would go out to hurting people, if your passion lies in hospice ministry, jail evangelism, or crisis hotlines, yours is the gift of mercy. If, however, the first thing you would do would be to head for the church office and straighten things out in order that the fellowship would operate more smoothly and effectively, yours is the gift of ruling. What would you change, what would you do if you were in charge? Your answer will give you a good clue as to what your spiritual gift is. The problem is, I have a tendency to analyze others in light of my gift, wondering why they’re not functioning as I do. Great is the day and mature will be the church family who will simply say, “She’s different,” or, “He’s different"and that’s as it should be because they’re functioning the way God made them.” That’s the point Paul is making here. Find your gift, develop it, and let others function in theirs.

Romans 12:9

Find God’s will by giving your life to Him and by keeping your mind on Him. Don’t think too highly of yourself. Just flow in the gifting God has given you. And above all, and in all, let love be without dissimulation or hypocrisy. The Greek rendering of this verse is: Treat evil as you would treat a cow pie. How many of you say, “My kids might get involved with cow pies, so I’m going to keep some cow pies in my room in order that I can study them. It’s my calling as a parent”? That’s absurd. Yet it’s exactly what people are saying when they say, “I gotta know what’s happening on the screen or in the magazines. Gotta keep current.” No you don’t. Treat evil like a cow pie. It’s abhorrent, repulsive, disgusting. Later on, Paul would write, “Concerning evil, you should be simple, or naive” (Rom_16:19). Twenty years ago, a missionary candidate was summoned to appear before a certain examiner. A veteran missionary himself, the examiner instructed the young man to come to his house at 5:00 A.M. the next Monday morning. So the young man got up at 4:00 and was at the examiner’s house by 4:55. “Wait for me,” the examiner said as he ushered the candidate into his study. Three hours later, the examiner returned and said, “How do you spell baker?” “B-a-k-e-r,” answered the young man. “How’s your math?” asked the examiner. “What’s two plus two?” “Four,” answered the young man. Satisfied, the examiner said, “I’m going to recommend you for service in our mission.” And the young candidate left the interview perplexed. That evening, the examiner met with his mission board and said, “I highly recommend this young man for ministry. I tested him on self-denial. He rolled out of bed and showed up at 4:55 A.M. Patience? I made him wait three hours in my study, and he didn’t say a word. Temper? I asked him to spell baker, and he didn’t become agitated. Humility? I asked him what two plus two was and he answered readily. This man will make a great missionary.” Folks, you never know what tests the Master Examiner is putting before you. We’re interested in credentials, but the Lord is interested in character. “Whatever you do, be fervent,” said Paul. Be fervent for the Lord however simple your service might be or how insignificant it might seemfor in so doing, you just may be qualifying yourself for even greater service.

Romans 12:12

Verse Rom_12:12 is a beautiful garden of growth, listing as it does the three sweet peas of praise, patience, and prayer. Plant these seeds in your heart, and you’ll do well throughout your walk.

Romans 12:13

What does “hospitality” mean? It means to be a “hospital” for the hurting, lonely people who come your way. Entertaining says, “I want to impress you with my home, my decorating, my cooking.” Hospitality says, “This house is simply a gift from my Master. I use it however and whenever He desires.” Entertaining needs to impress. Hospitality aims to serve. Entertaining puts things before people, saying, “As soon as I get the house clean, I’ll start inviting people over.” Hospitality puts people first, saying, “No furniture? No problem. We’ll picnic on the floor.” Entertaining subtly declares, “This house is minean expression of my personality, and my ingenuity.” Hospitality whispers, “What’s mine is yours. Enjoy it anytime.” Truly, hospitality is practical Christianity.

Romans 12:14

Sometimes it’s harder to rejoice with those who are rejoicing than it is to weep with those who are weeping. “How come she lucked out? How come they got that? Why does he get the big breaks?” we wonder all too often. Paul doesn’t say, “Preach to those who are weeping.” No, he says, “Weep with those who are weeping.” Concerning those who are weeping, we don’t have to preach at them or speak something profound to them. We just need to weep with them without questioning God’s goodness in the process.

Romans 12:16

Don’t try to climb any social, intellectual, or spiritual ladders. Whenever you can, to the degree you possibly can, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:19

Vengeance is the Lord’s department. Man’s responsibility is to love.

Romans 12:20

In Paul’s day, when a fire went out in a home, it was difficult to reignite it. Therefore, if someone’s fire went out, the women would carry live coals in clay jars upon their heads to share with the person who had no fire. Thus, the implication here was not of burning one’s enemy, but of warming him in order to ultimately win him to the kingdom.