Romans - Week 29

Transformation

READ

Romans 12:2

2 Don’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.

Typical of his writing, after dealing with doctrine the apostle Paul applies the teaching to daily living for the believer. Chapter 12 now switches to that. Here he tells believers not to copy the ways of the world. As God transforms the believer’s mind it will change the way he thinks. Only then will the Christ-follower learn about God’s will. Paul says three things about God’s will: 1) it is good; 2) it is pleasing, and 3) it is perfect.

REFLECT

How has God changed your thinking patterns since you became a Christ-follower?

RESPOND

Read Philippians 2:3-8 that tells how the Lord Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe, humbled Himself. He is the example for every believer.

Honest Evaluation

READ

Romans 12:3

3 Because 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.

Paul not only tells believers what to do; he also gives them warnings about what not to do. They are not to compare themselves with others. By doing this, one would be better than some and not nearly as good as others. Instead, believers are to measure themselves by the faith God has given them. Considering this, believers will realize there is nothing they can boast about because everything has been done for them by God’s undeserved grace.

REFLECT

Rather than comparing yourself with others, think about the spiritual blessings you have received by trusting in Jesus as Savior. Thank God for what He has done for you, not because of your merit but because of His grace.

RESPOND

Read 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 to read something else Paul said about others comparing themselves with each other.

Christ's Body

READ

Romans 12:4-5

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Paul gives the reason why believers should not boast about themselves. All of them are in the same Body of Christ and are to be of help to each other, just like the different parts of the human body serve the whole. The Lord Jesus is not physically on the earth now so believers—who are the spiritual Body of Christ—are to work together in carrying out His will on earth. Believers need to look at themselves as personal ambassadors of the Lord Jesus.

REFLECT

Have you thought about others—no matter the physical differences you may have—as being a part of the same spiritual body as you are in?

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple about the part each of you has in carrying out the will of God as you are part of the Body of Christ.

Spiritual Gifts

READ

Romans 12:6-8

6 In 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. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If 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.

The apostle Paul tells believers about some of the spiritual gifts that have been distributed to them by the Holy Spirit. Paul not only tells what the gift is, but also how it should be used. The word “prophesy” in Paul’s time had to do with both foretelling (predictive) and “forthtelling” God’s truth at the present. Today the revelation of God is complete so one “forthtells” by telling what the Bible says. In this passage Paul also mentions the gifts of serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing kindness; plus, how to do each.

REFLECT

Do you have one of the gifts mentioned in this passage? If so, which one? Are you carrying it out as Paul says you should?

RESPOND

There are four passages in the New Testament that refer to spiritual gifts. You can remember them as two 12s and two 4s. They are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4. Spend time with your disciple looking at some or all of these passages and talking about spiritual gifts.

Real Love

READ

Romans 12:9-10

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

As Paul emphasizes the need to love in verse 9, he uses the word that means to love even when there is no response. To really love someone is not to be hypocritical. In verse 10, the word for love is “brotherly love” as he tells readers to “love each other.” The result should be seen by believers taking delight in honoring each other.

REFLECT

What is your attitude when a fellow Christian is honored? Do you delight in that? You should.

RESPOND

Read Ephesians 4:31-32 to see more about how the apostle Paul says Christ-followers should treat each other.