Text: Romans 12:1-2
Thought: “Living God’s Way”
Theme: Christian Ethics & Conduct
Point: Accountability
Introduction
Our epistle identifies its author as “Paul the Apostle”. A few people from past centuries questioned the Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Romans, but no one has successfully challenged the epistles authenticity. Roman’s is used as the standard against which the authenticity of other epistles attributed to Paul is measured. As in the case with all of the Pauline Epistles, the word derives its canonical name from the recipients of the letter and not from the name of its author.
Chapter 1, the Apostle Paul addressed in the epistle to “all God’s beloved in Rome”. Romans occupied a significant place in the career of the Apostle Paul, for it was written relatively late in his life. At the time of the writing Paul admits that he has completed his mission to the Eastern Mediterranean world, having “fully proclaimed” the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem, and as far as Illyricum.
Paul then informs the Romans that he is heading to Jerusalem with aid for less fortunate believers in that region. The visit to Jerusalem that Paul announces in Romans 15:25 results in brief incarceration in Jerusalem before being transferred to Caesarea where Paul remained in prison for no less than two years. Having appealed to Caesar, Paul is then conducted to Rome where he remains in custody for two years until his execution.
The epistle of Romans was written at the height of Paul’s apostolic career. Paul probably wrote this epistle from the city of Corinth, he most likely composed his epistle to the Romans during his final three months in Corinth, not long before his departure to Jerusalem. This was his final epistle as a free man, and coming at this late stage in his life.
Body
I. The Mass Appeal
Paul’s plea according to Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, beseech is Parakleo in Greek, meaning to call near or invite, invoke. Paul addresses the church as brethren, not for masculine reasons but as a term of endearment. (connective particle) much like, near or remote. The Greek words Alelphos means a brother, and Aldelphe’- a sister; Adolphotes - a brotherhood or sisterhood which has been made possible by Jesus Christ.
A. God’s Mercies – how and why? Mercy in the Greek is Oiktirmos, meaning pity. This is why Paul’s affectionate approach should lead us to humility, and compliance. “There is a mercy in God, and a mercy that comes from God”. 1. Paul gives description for both in Romans 11, explaining the remnant of Israel, and Israel’s future salvation by transfer of what the Jews forfeited and lost by their unbelief unto us Gentiles. 2. The great invitation: Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. God is a merciful God; therefore let us present our bodies to him, for it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. Paul admonishes the believer to present their bodies a living sacrifice.
a. The translation for present is Zao meaning to live.
b. The translation for sacrifice is Thusia meaning spoken of their religious service.
c. The translation for holy is Hagios meaning blameless.
d. The translation for acceptable is Euaresteo meaning to be well pleasing.
e. The translation for reasonable is Logikos, meaning pertaining to reason.
f. The translation for service is Latreia, meaning divine service.
Christ has not made his body only; but his soul an offering for sin that he gave himself for us and gives himself to us.
B. Being A Living Epistle – how and why? Paul is speaking of you as a living organism, being acceptable to God, striving for that great ending of life’s journey of labor to be accepted by the Lord to have him well pleased with our performance. 2Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent we may be accepted by him.
1. It is our reasonable service: Blind devotion, worship in spirit and in truth, praise upon our lips with thanksgiving in our hearts.
2. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together. God does not impose upon us anything that is harsh, and unreasonable.
II. Conformity to Christ
C. Paul says to be not conformed to this world, suggesting that we make a conscience decision to spiritual transformation - how and why? The Greek word for conform is Suschematizo, meaning to fashion alike; conform to the same pattern; conform to, fashion self according to…Sustatauroo - together with. Sussomos – united in one body, that is, members of the body of Christ. Soma – used elsewhere of the church, meaning incorporated with the church
D. In Romans 12:2 Paul states, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. The word transformed is translated Metamorphoo in Greek meaning denoting change or condition.
1. We as Christians are not governed by the worlds system, or its standards.
2. Do not conform to the lust of the flesh or of the eye.
3. The mind must be renewed for Christ daily.
4. Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, according to Romans 12:2…Nous: Greek term meaning mind, the organ of mental perception and apprehension
5. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: here Paul speaks of an interior transformation, not an exterior one! Paul goes beneath the text, urging us to consider conversion and sanctification as a major component, and even agent to the renewal of the mind process. [Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make the darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them].
III. The Great Effect of Renewal
E. Receiving A New Heart and Spirit – how and why? Renewing in Greek is translated Anakainizo - qualitatively new; Mind being Nous meaning mental perception
1. New dispositions and inclinations, new sympathies and affections made spiritual and heavenly; the understanding enlightened, conscience softened, thoughts rectified, the will bowed to the will of God. Euarestos meaning well pleasing
2. The man you once knew, no longer exists and resides on the inside of you, for old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.
3. The Holy Spirit has been freely given to those that ask for it, its sole purpose is to provide power against negative forces in our life, leading and guiding believers into all truth.
4. The translation for perfect in Greek is Teleious (to complete)
IV. Conclusion
Apostle Paul’s conversation to the Roman church is direct, and his message is specific. Commitment to purity, sanctification, and service is reasonable. There isn’t any excuse for sub-par living in representation of God, and or seeking the example of His kingdom in the earth. Paul references this in his address on instructions for godly living according to [1 Timothy 4:11-16].
“Every born again believer should desire the baptism (gift, or infilling) of the Holy Spirit”. How does one obtain this enormous gift of grace? I’m glad you asked, by sincerely asking God for it! The Holy Spirit will then become our new guide, helping us to live from a different perspective because of new principles, and new rules by design provided by none other than God the Father through Jesus Christ, who is the blue print.
Finally, we might prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. By this we understand his revealed will concerning our duty and what the Lord requires of us. It’s pleasing to God when we conform to his will, (we must find ourselves saying not my will, but thy will be done Lord).
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6
