The Christian's Great Challenge

Romans 12:1-2

INTRODUCTION: Application of the previous doctrinal truths and an exhortation. Doctrine determines duty! "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." We are to be children of light, and it stands to reason that before a person can live right, he must think right. Doctrine is never an end in itself; it must be translated into practice! "If ye know these things, happy are you if ye do them."

12:1 "I beseech you" / parakalw / Lit. "to call to one's side to produce some effect." To beg earnestly, entreat, exhort. Strong word.

It is as if God Himself were begging you and me to follow the exhortation - The Holy Spirit Himself is begging the brethren to experience the greatness of doing thing’s God’s way., etc. This is the language of grace and compassion.

"therefore brethren" / "Therefore" relates this passage to everything that has been said before. This is the third natural division in the book: (5:1; 8:1; 12:1). Because God has called you (1:6), saved you from judgment (5:1), sent His Son to die for you (6:18), removed your condemnation (8:1), gave you security in your faith (8:37-39), and riches, wisdom and knowledge in Christ are now yours (11:33), it is imperative that you now therefore live for Christ!

"by the mercies of God" /demonstrated and described in the last paragraph.

"that ye present your bodies" / parasthsai / Lit. "to place beside" as a whole burnt offering. He wants all of you and you need all of Him! The word is translated "yield" in 6:13,19 meaning to "put at someone's disposal as an instrument in the hand of God."

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" I Peter 3:15

"Servants be obedient...in singleness of heart, as unto Christ, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but as servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart." Ephesians 6:6

"a living sacrifice"/ Read I Cor. 6:19-20 / Many have said that they would die for Christ, but how many really live for Christ? Presenting yourself as a living sacrifice is living on the basis of the resurrection life!

Paul said, "In nothing I shall be ashamed, but that will all boldness, as always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death."

Thomas Adams: "When the eyes abhor lustful objects, the ear slanders, the foot erring paths, the hands wrong and violence, the tongue flattery and blasphemy, the heart pride and hypocrisy; this is my whole burnt offering."

"holy" / showing God's character, set apart, etc.

"acceptable unto God" / well pleasing, approved, satisfied

"which is your reasonable service" / logikhn latreian / A contrast to those sacrifices offered in ritual and compulsion. This offering is reasonable, logical, rational, willful and purposeful and consecrated to the Lord's service.

"service." / In the Bible it never means human service; it is always used of service to and worship of God.

True worship is the offering to God of one's self. Real worship is not the offering to God of a liturgy, however noble, or a ritual, however magnificent. Real worship is the offering of our everyday lives to him, not just in church on Sunday, but something which sees the whole world as the temple of the living God.

CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFERINGS:

*Made to God alone: He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. Ex. 22:20

*Made without delay: Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits. Ex. 22:29

*Acceptable only through Jesus: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. I Pet. 2:5

*Offered freely our your own will: He shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the Lord. Lev. 1:3

 

GREAT QUESTION? How can I know God’s will? 12:2

"and be not conformed to this world" / suschmatizesqe / to shape one thing like something else that is unstable or changeable. We are not to change like a chameleon that takes it color from its surroundings - no masquerade. The word describes an outward form that varies from day to day and year to year. This word is never used of inward transformation. No masquerade! 2 Cor. 11:13-16

"conformed" is also translated "fashioned" in I Peter 1:14 Peter warns the readers not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts in their ignorance.

"but be ye transformed / metamorfusqe / a substantial and dramatic change, transfigured / It implies a fundamental change in the inward nature and a pattern of character which corresponds to the new nature. Matthew 17:1-3

" the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; "transformed" lays stress on the inward change, and "conformed" lays stress on the outward; the present continuous tense indicate a process; 2 Cor. 3:18 describes believers as being "changed" into the same image" (of Christ in all His moral excellencies), the change being effected by the Holy Spirit immediately and progressively."

"by the renewing of your mind" / gradual conforming more and more to the image of Christ so that the Spirit of Christ will let the mind of Christ work in your life. The mind is the center of logical reason, ethical judgment and moral awareness. 2 Cor. 10:4-5

This happens, Paul says, by the renewal of your mind. The word he uses for renewal is anakainosis. In Greek there are two words for new. This word means new in point of character and nature. Cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15

By permitting the Spirit of God to renew the mind, the believer will be able to test the will of God and find it good. The minute that we pretend to be something we are not, it is impossible for us to recognize confidently the will of God for our lives. By yielding, the will of God for the life of the believer becomes good and acceptable.

"that ye may prove" / dokimazein / discern, recognize, test, scrutinize, examine, document. It is the complete outward and inward change to establish the truth for you and others - to test with the expectation of approval. To test what you already know to be true (to follow through with confidence, trust God and act on faith).

"what is that good" / beneficial in character, perfect agreement of God's will and God's word.

"and acceptable"/ to deliberately accept what is offered

"and perfect will of God" / When the righteousness of Christ upon us like a cloak, a life of transformation is produced, God's will becomes firmly established in our lives and we learn to obey with a higher level of understanding and also accept His perfect plan for our lives!

Conclusion: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." The inference is that we must apply the truths of Romans 12:1-2 so that we can have wisdom and understand the will of the Lord!

Body Life - Romans 12:3-10 (Context of 12:1-2)

 

12:3 "...not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think." / uperfroein / proudly, Lit. over think!) We need to evaluate by sound judgment and Scripture. No one is left out, it is "every man among you." *Humility is the immediate effect of self-surrender to God!

be not highminded, but fear 11:20

mind not high things..condescend to men of low estate 12:16

"but to think soberly" / swfroein / proper thinking, being in the right mind / Humble diligence in the exercise of the gifts of grace!

"according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" / metron / proportion of faith!

"...selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will" I Cor. 12:11

"But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Eph. 4:7

"...if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth..." I Pet. 4:11

12:4 "For was we have many members in one body"

"...for his body's sake, which is the church." Col. 1:24

"For we are members of his body" Eph. 5:30

"...the church which is his body..." Eph. 1:22-23

 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BODY LIFE

1. The body is Christ's Body: I Cor. 12:12-27

2. We are all baptized into this Body: I Cor. 12:13

3. Many members - all important: I Cor. 12:21

6. Nourishment comes from the Head: Col. 2:19

7. Called into one body in peace: Col. 3:15

THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BODY

Body used 40X in the N.T. to describe the life and function of the church. Many other metaphors describe the church: family, bride, vineyard, temple, building, flock, etc.

The term body describes a unit of members working together for the same purpose. The Head is life, direction, purpose, and control. Each person in the body should have a vital role. Super saints should be the norm. The church is sometimes so indifferent that when someone comes in with a 98.6 temp we think that he's sick.

One Church - one Head

One Bride - one Bridegroom

One Flock - one Shepherd

One Building - One Foundation

One set of Vines - One Branch

One Kingdom - One King

There is no lower, middle or upper class - we all stand on the same ground. There should be no isolated believer who is by himself and not part of the that body.

The Church is one body of redeemed people who owe their very life and existence to the fact that they were placed into one body by the Spirit of Christ!

ekklhsia / called out assembly of believers who exist in unity and oneness of purpose. GOAL**To become in character and conduct what they are by virtue of their union with Christ!

"But now in Christ Jesus ye...nigh by the blood of Christ...our peace, who hath made both one...both unto God in one body by the cross." Eph. 2:12-16

"...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28

12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ" 12:20,27

Def: Spiritual organism of which Christ is the Head; composed of born again people from Pentecost to the Rapture.

"and every one members one of another" / Eph. 4:25

12:6 "Having then gifts..." / carismata / supernatural abilities enabling Christians to serve Christ and His Kingdom

What is a Spiritual Gift: Let’s Define and look at the rest of Romans 12

A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability which is graciously given to believers to help others to maturity in Christ's body. This gift or gifts are from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The gifts fall into four categories and are - listed in many different ways. Below are the gifts and their categories based upon the following passages: I Cor. 12; Eph. 4; Rom. 12.

APOSTLE: to establish the church firmly on the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ acting as His representative in the formation of the local church(assemblies) and providing an authoritative standard in doctrinal developments of the early church.

PROPHETS: To act as authoritative channels of revelation to the early church in the absence of New Testament.

EVANGELIST: Like apostles in ministry without the authority; started churches, baptized believers and leading people to the knowledge of Christ.

 

Defining The Gifts:

TEACHING: The clear and powerful communication of already revealed truths from God so that those taught actually learned.

EXHORTATION: The brotherly encouragement of fellow believers, either to alter their conduct or motivate to obedience.

WISDOM: The supernatural pronouncement of a wise course of action when the church is faced with difficult decision, or when a believer needs special direction.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE: The supernatural declaration of some fact which will help the church or individual believer.

SHOWING MERCY: The sympathetic and cheerful communication of compassion and love to people in special need.

GIVING :The extraordinary ability to share ones resources for the work of the ministry.

GOVERNMENT: The ability to lead believers according to God's will with diligence and motivating fervor.

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS: Ability to discern false and true representation of the truth.

FAITH: The ability to trust God for great things.

"prophecy" - inspired delivery of warning, exhortation, instruction, etc.

"Proportion" - analogian - mathematical term: according to strength, clearness, fervor, etc.

12:7 "Or ministry..." / no bickering over functions or over-lap in getting important jobs done. A servant at every activity. If it is the ministry of someone else, wait! I Cor. 14:12,26

"Teaching"/ didaskwn / clear explanation to the heart of the believer with a clear biblical motivation.

12:8 "exhorteth" / encourage, persuade to obedience

"Giveth...with simplicity" - metadidouV - Pres Act Ptc - liberally without display. "Simplicity" is aplothti meaning singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty, the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy, not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity. 2 Cor. 8,9

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matt 6:2-4

"Ruleth" - proistamenoV - Pres Ptc - to set or place before, to set over, to be over, to superintend, preside over, to be a protector or guardian, to give aid, to care for, give attention.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thess 5:12-13

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3

"with diligence" - spoudh - haste, earnestness, earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Eccl 9:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which 1 Cor 15:10

"He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness" - ilarothti - or

readiness of mind.

 

12:9 "Love" / agaph / should underlie the basic life of the believer. It is sacrificial and the highest form of expressing the heart of God! It is coupled with a corresponding purpose and action!

"...dissimulation" / aupokristoV / without pretense or hypocrisy, no fraud, trickery, acting, make believe, deceit, not an imposter! Unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1 Tim 1:5

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

"Abhor that which is evil" - apostugounteV - Pres Act Ptc

full of labours, annoyances, hardships, pressed and harassed by labours, bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble, bad, of a bad nature or condition, in a physical sense: diseased or blind, in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalms 97:10

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalms 45:7

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalms 101:3

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Psalms 119:104

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Prov 8:13

"cleave to that which is good" - kollwmenoi - Pres Pass Ptc

to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together, to join or fasten firmly together, to join one's self to.

 

12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another" - the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands, loving affection, prone to love, loving tenderly, chiefly of the reciprocal tenderness of parents and children.

 

"With brotherly love" - love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love, in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren.

 

"In honor" - timh - a valuing by which the price is fixed, of the price itself, of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold, honor which belongs or is shown to one, of the honor which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds, deference, reverence.

"preferring one another" / prohgoumenoi / Pres Mid Ptc (always translated in the active voice) taking the initiative in showing this great love, discipline, to go before and show the way, to go before and lead, to go before as a leader. I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 13:1; Phil. 2:3

 

12:11 "not slothful in business" / oknhroV / opposite of diligent, not shrinking from responsibilities, diligent labor in all areas of life.

 

"Fervent in spirit" / zew / Pres Act Ptc / to be hot, boil, bubbling up, aflame with the Spirit of God, earnest with energy and enthusiasm, careful, diligent, to make haste, promote. The very same care should be taken with spiritual matters as we do with business matters.

"Serving the Lord" / Rom. 16:18-19 / Pres Act Ptc

 

12:12 "rejoicing in hope"/ Rom. 15:2 / Pres Act Ptc

"Patient in tribulation" / Pres Act Ptc / abide, endure

 

"Continuing constant in prayer" / prokaterounteV / Pres Act Ptc / Lit. "To be strong towards" / to endure, persevere, steadfast.

"Continue in prayer" / Col. 4:2

"continued in one accord in prayer" / Acts 1:14

"but we will give ourselves continually to prayer" / Acts 6:4

"effectual fervent prayer" / James 5:16

12:13 "Distributing to the necessity of the saints"/ not selfish, no anxious giving / koinwnounteV / Pres Act Ptc / share in common

"Liberal distribution unto them..." 2 Cor. 9:13

"but to do good and to communicate" / Heb. 13:16

"given to hospitality"/ lit. To run after it in a daily pursuit - Pres Act Ptc

12:14 cf. Matt. 5:44; I Cor. 4:12-13

12:15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice"/ Prov. 17:22 / Pres Act Ptc

"And weep with them that weep"/ I Cor. 12:26

12:16 "be of the same mind one toward another"/ closely connected in fellowship and the love of Christ! Phil. 2

"Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate"

Jesus and the woman at the well: John 4

"Be not wise in your own conceits"/ no spiritual strutting or fancy introductions, don’t be presumptuous in your opinion of yourself, self important!

12:17 Verse of integrity and understanding the eternal purpose of God is more important than our "important" ideas or motives

12:18 cf. Deut. 32:35; Heb. 10:30; Prov. 25:21

12:19-20 Exegete

12:21 Anyone can hate or hold a grudge, or turn his head away from speaking. It takes real Christian love to demonstrate this kind of grace. There is no place in the love of Christ for retaliation