Contributing
To One Another
[Romans
chapter 12]
Today
in our continuing series of studies of the book of Romans, we move on
to chapter 12. In this chapter, Paul talks about how we can initiate
fundamental change for the better from within ourselves. He then
explains how this renewal of self can affect our place within the
community of believers as well as for the good of everyone else. He
then goes on to outline how this personal renewal in Christ for the
sake of our relationship with Christ applies to our everyday lives
and what we as responsible Christians can do to cause this personal
renewal manifest itself. I will begin with verse one.
“Therefore,
I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your
spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God's will is – His good,
pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12: 1-2 NIV)
We are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God
in the same way that Christ offered Himself up on the cross of
Calvary. Furthermore, we are to be living in the world while
remaining separate from it. We can live here as usual but not be
caught up in the materialistic and vain trappings of the world as it
currently exists. We can accomplish this by what Paul calls “mind
renewal”. This means being a modern Christian requires a new and
different way of thinking that sets us apart from the rest of
humanity. It is only when we do this that we can find out for
ourselves what God's will is for our lives. And His will is always
perfect for us whether we realize it or not. And if we don't yet do
so, we can still accomplish this by the renewal of our minds in
Christ Jesus.
“For
by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of
yourselves more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith that God
has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and
these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who
are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We
have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's
gift is prophesying, let him use it to the proportion of his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if
it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the
needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let
him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it
cheerfully. (Romans 12: 3-8 NIV)
The first point Paul makes is that there is no room for
big egos in God's family. Everyone has a place in God's family “in
accordance with the measure of faith that God has given you”.
Everyone has a function within God's family, and Paul names these
functions without any particular order of importance. Notice that he
mentions money only briefly (“if it is contributing to the needs of
others, let him give generously”). This is in stark contrast to the
erroneous teachings of the modern church, which emphasizes tithing
10% of one's income. This is a teaching that goes all the way back to
the Old Testament, well before the time of Christ. As I said in one
of my recent sermons, we should definitely contribute to churches and
other charities as we see fit. However, the harsh economic realities
of the modern world in which we live make giving 10% a prohibitively
expensive proposition, especially for the poor and middle class. Let
the rich give 15% to their churches in our place. Besides, when Jesus
died on the cross, the old law was sacrificed with Him and He became
the new law. Paul then goes on from there.
“Love
must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted
to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the
Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those
who rejoice, mourn with those that mourn. Live in harmony with one
another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12: 9-16 NIV)
The timely advice that is in these few verses is just
as relevant now as it was nearly 2,000 years ago when it was first
written. Love must be genuine, and never abusive. Stand up to evil
and oppose it at every turn. Be a truly selfless person who thinks of
them selves last, who puts others first, rarely complaining. Now
comes the hardest part, because it's a quote from Christ himself.
“Bless those who curse you...”, be kind to those who
oppose you or who have personal vendettas. You will be surprised
(based on my own experience) at how quickly this tactic can disarm
those who oppose you. Be willing to associate with people of low
position, such as the homeless. I was once homeless myself for about
four months, and I didn't think such a thing could happen to me. I'm
retired from IT after over 20 years in the computer business. But
when you're self-employed and the demand for your product dries up,
your income dries up too. Never be conceited, and be wary of all the
class warfare that's going on in America. And how do we accomplish
this and other similar things, such as our relationship with Christ?
By being “transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Paul then
continues on with these closing verses.
“Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God's wrath, for it is written. 'it is mine to avenge,
I will repay, says the Lord'.
(Deuteronomy 32:35)
On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning
coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good. (Romans 12: 17-21 NIV)
As far as it is possible, live at peace with everyone.
If any of your enemies refuses to act peaceably toward you, avoid
them and don't associate with them. Take it to the Lord in prayer and
let God deal with them, and you can be sure that He will. God will
deal with your enemies in His good and perfect will according to His
perfect timing. That is the way of the Lord, and we are to emulate
Him every chance we get. And the peace of God which is beyond all
human understanding will be with you all. Let's start putting these
teachings into practice on a daily basis. You will be surprised at
how much your quality of life will improve, as well as how many doors
of opportunity this will open for you. Living God's way through Jesus
Christ really is the best way to live our lives. Try it and see for
yourself, you will be pleased with the outcome. Enjoy your day.
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