Recovered by Grace:
The Transformed Life
Romans 12
Introduction
So far in our study of the book of Romans, we have read:
-The Good News is God’s Power to Save Everyone
-Everyone needs saving - all have sinned.
-We cannot overcome the power of sin on our own.
-Salvation is a matter of God’s grace, accessed by faith/trust.
-When we trust, God credits us with righteousness.
-Only the power of grace can overcome the power of sin.
-Despite the war within, we are more than conquerors & remain uncondemned because of Jesus Christ.
-God has a plan to save every believer - don’t reject it!
Paul has laid the foundation for the transformed life and now he is getting to the practical applications - what does it mean for daily living? R. C. Bell wrote, “Practical religion depends upon doctrinal religion - doctrine is the oil in the lamp, exhortation is lighting the wick, and the Christian character is the burning lamp. … to think that the Christian life is possible without Christian doctrine is as foolish as to expect grapes without the vine.”
In chapter 12 Paul emphasizes the transformed life. Transformed comes from the word meaning Metamorphosis.
Change we see from the caterpillar to the butterfly! Erwin McManus: “I am not who I want to be, but I am on the
journey there, and thankfully I am not whom I used to be." That Transformation is based on the reality of God’s mercies as we submit to His will, offering our lives. (Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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.) In one sense, the transformation is of our whole life. That transformation impacts the harmony of the church family in ways that Paul is about to explore.
Paul loves lists and in chapter twelve he is going to offer up some lists to illustrate the transformed life to which Christ calls us. The only way that the church can be formed into what it needs to be is for each of us to be formed into the image of Christ.In Paul’s list I see three areas where Christians experience transformation as we yield to the Spirit.
1. A Transformed Mind (12:1-8)
We view ourselves with sober judgment (3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.). Not more highly than we ought (Jews did, Gentiles did, we do sometimes!). Neither higher than others, nor lower!
We view ourselves as part of One Body of believers (4-5 For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others). We are not being called to live the Christian life in isolation! We are called into serving Christ together:
-We do not all have the same function
-We do, however, all belong together - to one another
-We experience a unity in diversity that is directed and unified by God!
Transformed minds serve the church through 7 gifts of grace (12:6-8)
Transformed minds serve the church through 7 gifts of grace (12:6-8)
-Prophecy - sharing the word of God with others. Even in the OT much of the prophesy was forth telling not always foretelling! (6 If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith)
-Serving - ready and willing to tackle tasks that glorify God and assist others. Every Christian should be a servant, some have a God-given aptitude to be effective in serving. (7a if it is serving, then serve)
-Teaching - doctrinal instruction that springs from Scripture. Taking opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ. What a blessing our teachers are - essential to the church!(7b ; if it is teaching, then teach)
-Encouraging - comfort, appeal, console, encourage others in the challenges they are facing. Lifting up your brothers and sisters - leaving them with greater strength! (8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement)
-Giving - give generously - a person with financial ability from God is able to share generously for the sake of others’ needs and the gospel’s furtherance. (9 if it is giving, then give generously)
-Lead - diligently. One with a gift for inspiring and organizing others to join forces for the sake of a common goal. (9 if it is to lead, do it diligently)
-Mercy - show mercy cheerfully - able to find refreshment in Christ to renew one’s capacity to extend care in demanding solutions. Caring for others helps relieve hurts. (9 if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully)
2. A Transformed Love (12:9-12)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Love for Good as opposed to Evil (9)
Love for your brothers and sisters. (10)
Be devoted to one another / honor one another (10)
AMP Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor…
Philadelphia is the word here - used 220 times in the NT to refer to the Christian family. Transformed lives draw us closer to one another! Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Love for God
-Zealous, serving the Lord (11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.) inner intensity; energetic
-Joyful - Be joyful in hope (12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.). Let the hope of heaven and God’s promises keep your spirits up!
-Patient in affliction (12). Never give up on God, even in difficult days. Hang on! A Harvest is coming!
-Faithful in prayer (12). Keeping the communication strong! Never let the power cord come unplugged!
3. Transformed Attitude (12:13-21)
When there is a need - we try to meet it. (13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.) 1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” Hospitality - love of strangers - was necessary for survival in NT Times; also today.
When harmony is threatened - let Christ win. When persecuted - bless (do not curse) (14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.)
When facing struggles and joys: Rejoice and Mourn with your brothers and sisters. (15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ) Don’t be jealous when they have it good, and be sympathetic when they have it bad!
When relationships may be difficult - seek harmony.
Don’t look down on others (16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.)
Don’t be conceited.
Don’t treat others the way they treated you (17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.)
Do what is right in the eyes of everyone. (17 Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. )
As far as it depends on you - live at peace with all. (18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. )
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
If you have an enemy:
Let God take care of revenge (19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ). It can be tempting to answer persecution with venom and spleen, but the gospel calls for and enables a higher way. MT 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
Treat your enemy with God’s kindness.Hungry or thirsty - fill his needs. (20 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 on his head”). This is the way of transformed believers! I knew a lady who had a son whose football was always going over the fence. It disturbed the neighbor! She complained! Ruby baked her a cake; they became friends! This is also the way to heap burning coals on his head! (Proverbs 25:21-22)
Overarching principle: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.)
“Honest love hates the evil even in friends, and loves the good even in enemies.” R. C. Bell
Conclusion
1. Three Transformations Brought about by the Gospel:
-Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
-Live in Harmony With One Another
-Overcome evil with Good.
2. What do we do with a long list of exhortations like this?
- Buzz over them lightly.
- Be overwhelmed and give up trying.
- Look for the ones that speak to you
- Work on one at a time.
- Be willing to submit yourself to God’s Word and take some next steps.
Next Week: Romans 13
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Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart
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Discussion Questions
1. What is Paul’s statement about being a “living sacrifice” urging? (Romans 12:1-2)
2. How can we enact the “renewing of our minds”? Is that something we do or something God does?
3. Paul uses the metaphor of a body with many parts to describe the church. How does this analogy
help us understand the importance of unity and diversity within the Christian community? (12:4-5)
4. Of the seven gifts listed in 12:6-8, which would you like to grow stronger in? How do you know which
gift is yours? (Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all spiritual gifts)
5. Overcoming evil with good is a difficult teaching. Why is it hard to do? What wisdom would we need
to use in practicing this principle? Is Paul talking about fellow members in the church or outsiders?
6. Romans 12 covers a lot of ground. Which of the principles in his long list of encouragements is the
one that stands out to you today? Which one would have saved you a lot of trouble if you had learned it
early in life?
7. What else did you want to talk about today?
