November 17 A READ ROMANS 12–16
Practical Outworking of Righteousness
OVERVIEW
In the first eleven chapters, Paul has discussed the key doctrines of the Christian faith. But Christian living requires more than theory; it demands attention to duty as well, the daily outworking of applied doctrine. To Paul, what you believe and how you live are inseparable. Doctrine dictates that love must control a believer’s conduct both inside and outside the church (ch. 12), that a Christian must be a good citizen (ch. 13), and that a Christian must make proper ethical choices in consideration of weaker believers (ch. 14). Paul concludes his letter with a summary of his travel plans, a list of personal greetings, and a warning against false teachers.
MY DAILY WALK
“Wanted: Dead and Alive!” Do you detect anything peculiar about a “Wanted” poster that reads like that?
God wants you dead (to sin and self), but he also wants you alive (to him for service). In the Old Testament, animals were offered as sacrifices, and they had no say in the matter. But now, based on God’s abundant mercies on your behalf, he is calling you to become a voluntary living sacrifice as a reasonable expression of your gratitude for all he has done for you and through you.
The trouble with being a living sacrifice is that, when the heat’s on, the tendency is to crawl off the altar. If you have trouble volunteering for such an assignment, chances are you need to review God’s mercies in your life. Thumb back through the pages of Romans, and see if you can discover at least six of those mercies . . . but don’t stop there!
1. ____________________ (3:24)
2. ____________________ (5:1)
3. ____________________ (8:1)
4. ____________________ ( )
5. ____________________ ( )
6. ____________________ ( )
SACRIFICE IS THE ECSTASY OF GIVING THE BEST WE HAVE TO THE ONE WE LOVE THE MOST.
INSIGHT
Five Key Relationships | Rom. 12:1-21
Paul summarizes true discipleship in chapter 12 in terms of our five key relationships: to God, to the world, to ourselves, to other believers, and to non-believers (including enemies). Can you find what he says about each relationship?
INSIGHT
Well-Known Works | Rom. 16:2
Romans is one of the few epistles written by Paul to a church he had not previously visited, and yet in chapter 16 he includes a long list of personal greetings—twenty-six in all. Notice what he deems worthy of praise: Not impressive, high-profile skills and gifts, but “she has been helpful to many” (16:2), “they . . . risked their lives for me” (16:4), “a good man whom Christ approves” (16:10), “[she] has worked so hard for the Lord” (16:12).
A Living Sacrifice to God
1And so, dear brothers and sisters,* I plead with you to give your bodies to God 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.* 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3Because of the privilege and authority* God 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 God has given us.* 4Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God 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 God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection,* and take delight in honoring each other. 11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.* 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15Be 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 things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”*
says the LORD.
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.”*
21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.