Romans

The Letter from Yeshua's Emissary Sha’ul(Paul) to the Messianic Community in Rome

Chapter 12 - (CJB)*

A Study to Help New and Young Christians - Previous Study

Chapter 12:1-21 (CJB)

1. I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you.

2. In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.

3. For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.

4. For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function;

5. so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others.

6. But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust;

7. if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching;

8. if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.

9. Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good.

10. Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect.

11. Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor.

12. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer.

13. Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you—bless them, don’t curse them!

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16. Be sensitive to each other’s needs—don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited.

17. Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good.

18. If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.

19. Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the Tanakh it is written, “ADONAI says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’ ”

20. On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head.”

21. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Study - Chapter 12

Introduction to Section 3: - As mentioned earlier there a three sections that the book of Romans can be divided up into. This is the third part where Paul is setting out how to live the principals that he spells out in the first chapters which, is the Legal position we as Christians stand.

This stand is our relation we have to God our Father through the work of Christ our Redeemer. Once we know what is Legally is ours then we can move into how we act out this New Condition, our New Creation in Christ.

Ch 12: verses, 1-8,

In Verse 1: you will note there is a "therefore", at the beginning and when you see a "therefore", you need to ask 'Why is it there for?'. Paul is stating what he is about to say stands or is based on what has been said before.

Knowing that we have a Legal Standing with God our Father because of the 'Work of Christ', there is nothing else that we can do to make ourselves "right" before God. We just need to allow the "life" that we have received from Christ to shine out from us as we follow the simple guide-lines that Paul will unfold in the following chapters.

This 'living out', or 'living sacrifice', Verse 1: is just allowing the Nature of Christ, our New Life, to come through us as we refrain from thinking about ourselves and seeing the world through Jesus's eyes. This will become more obvious as we continue reading through the next several chapters.

Verse 2: We willfully decide not live, think, like we did as we did in the past but allow our minds to changed into the character of Christ. Not using the standards of out past life but having our minds set on the way that the Life of Christ urges. This renewing of our mind starts as we see what Paul explains is the framework of this New House we now live in. As long as we stay within the boundies he sets out in these next chapters we are doing OK.

Verse 3 to 8: We are to have "a sober estimate of ourselves", not put ourselves down or being too puffed up in own eyes. Paul make the comparison with the Human Body which, has many parts, each important in their role but different so we are are to see ourselves forfilling the role that each has to play. What is our role? The Holy Spirit will bring to each one the understanding what this is. Much has to do with the natural giftings we see we have.

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Ch 12: verses, 9-21,

Paul continues with defining the correct form of Love that we are expected to show. A Love that is considerate of others not an outwardly performance that is often displayed in ungodly situations.

Our Love should be the kind that on might expect in a well order houshold. Where respect for each member of the family is taken seriously.

Our work ethic should be genuine as well. Not just doing what "feels good" but being prepared to have a "roll up the sleves" type of attitude. This is not to show off but to work with the attitude of excellence regardless whether anyone see it or not.

When you don't need to feel that you have to protect yourself, because you are trusting the Lord to handle of of that you can "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles", Verse 12: "and continue steadfastly in prayer".

The List goes on...

Because we are trusting Our Father to supply with all we need we can...

Verse 13: We can share and practice hospitality.

Verse 14: We Bless those that are against us, we don't retalliate like others in the world do.

Verse 15: We use empathy, Be happy (rejoice), with those that are happy and come along side and comfort those that weep.

Verse 16: When we consider others better than ourselves we stay humble and not allowing ourselves to think of ourselves to be superior.

Verse 17: It does us no good when we repay evil for evil done to us, our aim should allways be to do good to others when ever we can.

Verses 18 to 21: At all times "to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people." Verse 18: When we rely on God to defend us from any attack or agression that is aimed at us we allow the most appropriate answer to be brought about.

When we do good rather than retalliate the other person becomes confused because it is not natural to be treated like that. It may convict them of their error and change their attitude towards you.

Evil is always is defeated by doing good. God is all the time trying to bring people to repentance rather than crushing them with His Justice.

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(CJB)* The Complete Jewish Bible" used with permission.