A. INTRODUCTION
1. All persons live within a network of relationships, and Christians are no different. What the apostle Paul has shown us in his epistle to the Romans is that the relationships in a believer's life are designed by God to be uniquely spiritual.
a. The believer's relationship with God Himself exists as the result of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. This truth lies at the core of all the great doctrines Paul presented in Romans 1-11.
(1) In Romans 12:1 the believer is instructed in the "reasonable" response to God's great mercy toward him or her: the presentation of his body as a "l __ __ __ __ __ s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __" to God.
(2) "This is the real logic of Christianity. We do not serve God to win his favor but because we have received his favor we serve him in gratitude and love." - Charles R. Erdman: The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
(3) Paul's appeal to consecration involves both an act and an activity, both a gift and a life. The gift of the believer's s __ __ __ to God will result in a life of s __ __ __ __ __ __ for God. This is why Christians call Jesus Christ "L __ __ __." Our true, life-long "vocation" of "Living for Jesus" constitutes, Paul writes, "our s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ a __ __ of w __ __ __ __ __ __." (See also Ephesians 4:1-6)
b. Such a life will surely issue forth in a relationship with the w __ __ __ __ around us which is observably different from those who do not serve Christ with their everyday lives. Paul describes the believer's relationship with the world in Romans 12:2.
(1) We are to move away from c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to the world.
(2) We are exhorted to be instead t __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ by the "renewing of our m __ __ __ __." The believer is made an entirely "new c __ __ __ __ __ __ __" by God's sovereign act of j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, but his transformation is an on-going process and requires his willing participation. The believer's spiritual transformation will issue forth in moral transformation, but does so in direct proportion to the believer's willingness to have his mind "renewed" by through the faithful study of God's Word. The change is from the inside out.
(3) Any attempt by the believer toward the reverse -- to attempt to transform one's self from the "outside-in" by conformity to an external standard, no matter how worthy and upright that standard may be -- is described by the term "l __ __ __ __ __ __ __." It was the lifestyle of the Pharisees. It is yet another example of the conformity to the world around us which cannot please God.
ref: Matthew 15:8-20
Colossians 2:20-23
(4) "The Christian life is an ongoing discipline of learning to be transformed by the lordship of Christ rather than being conformed to social, moral, and even spiritual images. When the church accommodates itself uncritically to this age, the Christian must resist that conformity as well, not only out of obedience to Christ, but for the purpose of reforming the church to its rightful calling." - James R. Edwards: Romans (Volume 6, New International Biblical Commentary)
c. The believer's relationship with other believers is described by Paul in Romans 12:3-21, and will be referenced here and there throughout the rest of the epistle.
(1) In v.3 we are reminded that God's g __ __ __ __ is given to every one of us, and that the outworking of that grace by each believer is to be exercised with a spirit of genuine h __ __ __ __ __ __ __. The enormously-gifted apostle Paul himself sets the example for us.
(2) In v.4-8 Paul describes the community of saints -- the c __ __ __ __ __ -- as the "body of Christ." Viewed in this context, believers' behaviour as members of the church will be characterized by three things:
- u __ __ __ __
- d __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- m __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
2. In the remainder of chapter 12 Paul will set forth the two great Christian "qualifiers" which will issue forth in and through a healthy church:
a. m __ __ __ __ __ __ __, and
b. l __ __ __.
B. TEXT
1. Romans 12:6-8 is one of four New Testament passages in which the apostle Paul list specific spiritual g __ __ __ __ (Gr. charismata) given to the church by the grace (Gr. charis) of God.
ref: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
1 Corinthians 12:28
Ephesians 4:11
a. The source of these gifts, all the lists agree, is the g __ __ __ __ of God. Paul has been inspired to identify each person of the triune God in the four lists. How appropriate on this Sunday in the church year calendar -- Trinity Sunday!
(1) In Romans Paul refers to God the F __ __ __ __ __.
(2) In Ephesians it is God the S __ __.
(3) In 1 Corinthians it is God the H __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __.
Since God Himself is the source of any and all spiritual gifts, both b __ __ __ __ __ __ __ about one's own gift(s) and/or e __ __ __ __ __ __ the gifts of others have no place in the church.
b. The purpose of the gifts is presented in each list as the e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ("building up") of the body of Christ, but is set forth most explicitly in Ephesians 4:12-13.
Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best? It is that God's people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity; until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Saviour, God's Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord -- yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ. [ TLB ]
c. Paul in Romans 12:6-8 lists seven of these charisms:
(1) p __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(2) m __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( "s __ __ __ __ __ __" in some translations )
(3) t __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(4) e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( "e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __" elsewhere )
(5) g __ __ __ __ __
(6) l __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( "g __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __" in some versions )
(7) m __ __ __ __
d. "Diversity, not uniformity, is the mark of God's handiwork. It is so in nature; it is equally so in grace, and nowhere more so than in the Christian community. Here are many men and women with the most diverse kinds of parentage, environment, temperament, and capacity. Not only so, but since they became Christians they have been endowed by God with a wide variety of spiritual gifts as well. Yet because and by means of that diversity, all can cooperate for the good of the whole. Whatever form of service is to be rendered in the church, let it be rendered heartily and faithfully by those divinely qualified to render it." - F.F. Bruce: Romans (Volume 6, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)
2. Romans 12:9-21 is nothing less than an exposition of the "L __ __ of C __ __ __ __ __." Just as Paul had in his first letter to the church at Corinth followed his teaching on spiritual gifts with the now-famous "love chapter" of 1 Corinthians 13, here he enjoins Christians to agape, first to fellow believers, then, incredibly, to those outside the fellowship -- our "enemies."
a. In v.9-16 Paul paints a verbal portrait of authentic love as it is exercised in the fellowship of believers.
(1) In v.9-10 agape is characterized by two factors:
- its s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __; and
- that it hates what is e __ __ __ and clings to that which is g __ __ __.
(2) In v.11-16 Paul lists some observable qualities of genuine love among believers.
- kind a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ for one another (v.10)
- h __ __ __ __ __ extended to others (v.10)
- f __ __ __ __ __ __ in the Holy Spirit (v.11)
ref: Acts 18:24-28 This characteristic was observed in A __ __ __ __ __ __ , the great preacher who succeeded Paul's ministry in Corinth. F.F. Bruce renders "fervent" as "aglow."
- d __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in serving the Lord (v.11)
The NEB margin notes for this passage interpret its meaning as "meeting the demands of the hour."
- rejoicing in h __ __ __ (v.12)
- patient in t __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.12)
- continual p __ __ __ __ __ (v.12)
- meeting people at the point of their n __ __ __ (v.13)
- given to h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.13)
- calling down b __ __ __ __ __ __ __ rather than curses to persecutors (v.14)
- e __ __ __ __ __ __ {Webster's: "emotional identification"} (v.15)
- living in h __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.16)
"Having the same mind one to another" is not the same thing as "seeing eye to eye."
ref: Romans 15:5-6
Philippians 2:2-5
- not h __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.16) (See also James 2:1-5)
- "enjoy the company of o __ __ __ __ __ __ __ folks" [ TLB ] (v.16)
- "And don't think you k __ __ __ it all." [ TLB ] (v.16)
John R.W. Stott in his splendid commentary gathers these characteristics into a group of twelve graces which should be evident in the church.
1. s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.9a)
2. d __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.9b)
3. a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.10a)
4. h __ __ __ __ __ (v.10b)
5. e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.11)
6. p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.12)
7. g __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.13a)
8. h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.13b)
9. g __ __ __ w __ __ __ (v.14)
10. s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.15)
11. h __ __ __ __ __ __ (16a)
12. h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v.16b)
b. The believer's being moved by the mercies of God manifests itself not only in our "church family" relationships, but also in our dealings with our "enemies." The love of Christ must compel us to s __ __ __ __ __ __ instead of a __ __ __ __ __; to m __ __ __ __ __ __ __ instead of r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
(1) For Christ's own teachings on this subject, refer to Matthew 5:38-48.
(2) Paul in Romans 12:17-21 sets forth an excellent pattern of Christian behaviour amidst the non-Christian cultural environment in which we now live.
- Repay no one e __ __ __ for e __ __ __. (v.17)
- Take thought for what is n __ __ __ __ in the sight of all -- friends and enemies alike. (v.17)
- Live as p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ with all as you are allowed to do so. (v.18)
"A Christian is a peacemaker by obligation and aim. Harmony is not always possible, since truth divides as well as unites. Paul's double qualification ('If... ...as much as') recognizes this, but the obligation to strive for peace in personal relations with others remains." - Margin Notes to Romans 12:18, New Geneva Study Bible
- Avenge not yourselves; leave it to the w __ __ __ __ of God. (v.19)
ref: Nahum 1:2
Deuteronomy 32:26-39
Hebrews 10:30-31
In v.20 Paul quotes from Proverbs 25:21-22. The imagery of "heaping coals of fire" on an enemy's head is completely foreign to us. Is this an essentially kind gesture? or one which illustrates the shame and remorse which will be felt by an enemy who sees his intended evil returned to him as grace (v.21)?
C. APPLICATION
1. If "g __ __ __ __" is the gospel reduced to one word, then "l __ __ __ (agape)" is the law of Christ reduced to one word.
a. Remember, Christ Himself summed up the entire Old Testament ("the law and the prophets") in two simple and direct commandments (Matthew 22:37-40):
(1) Love God with all your h __ __ __ __, s __ __ __, m __ __ __ , and s __ __ __ __ __ __ __;
(2) Love your n __ __ __ __ __ __ __ as yourself.
b. When the lawyer in the Luke 10:25-29 rendering of this Great Commandment asked the self-serving question, "Who, then, is my neighbor?", Jesus responded with the parable of the G __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( Luke 10:30-37 )
2. The "Law of Christ" must be as binding on the believer as was the Decalogue in ancient Israel on every citizen of that theocratic state. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, serving as "ambassadors" to a world dominated by the Prince of the Power of the Air, "strangers in a strange land," as it were. Any attempt to differentiate ourselves from the "locals" around us by means of bumper stickers, Christian clothing, attendance at "big events," or having the loudest bullhorn at a political demonstration are not offered in Scripture as suitable alternatives to the Mark of the Christian set forth by our Lord in the Great Commandment.
(1) It manifests itself to those outside the kingdom in g __ __ __ w __ __ __ __ -- the ministry of serving others.
(2) It manifests itself to those inside the kingdom -- and will be observed by those outside -- in the love of Christ extended to one another.
Matthew 13:34-35 [ NKVJ ]
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that your are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
ref: Galatians 6:1-2
2 John 5
1 John 4:7-21
D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E
1. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. Down through the centuries pastors and ministers have been given the bulk of the responsibility for doing "the work of the ministry." To the minds of many people, the pastor's salary is remuneration for doing this work.
a. What is "the work of the ministry?"
b. Does this passage indicate that this is exclusively the work of ministers?
c. How does their task differ from that of all the others in the church who are not functioning as pastor?
d. Read 1 Timothy 5:17-18. This passage is often cited as the basis for pastors being paid by their congregation.
(1) Can "double honour" be granted without a monetary element? Explain.
(2) According to this passage, why exactly is "the elder who ministers in the word" paid?
(3) What is your opinion in money being offered for any other ministry in the church, such as Choir Director, Organist / Pianist, or guest musician? Explain your answer.
(4) Would your opinion in this matter also be applied to other part-time or full-time "pastoral staff" positions such as "Associate Pastor" or "Youth Pastor" or "Administrative Pastor?"
Why, or why not?
2. Read the lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and 12:28. Some of the spiritual gifts in these lists would seem to be "generally" assigned to all Christians (i.e. "giving," "mercy," "encouragement," "helps," and "faith."
a. How would these be manifested differently in someone who is spiritually gifted for them?
b. What is the difference between a spiritual gift and a "talent" or a "special ability?"
c. If you can, cite Scriptural reference for how believers should use their talents and abilities in service to God.
3. Give some suggestions -- and cite Scripture wherever possible -- as to how a Christian can discover his or her spiritual gifts.
4. What is the responsibility of the local church and the leadership of the local church in enabling members to know, develop and exercise their spritual gifts?
5. How should Christians who disagree with the politics of our President, or dispute the honour of our President, or suspect the very worst of our President deal with their feelings and stay true to their convictions while staying aligned with the principles of the Law of Christ as presented by Paul in Romans 12:17-21, by Peter in 1 Peter 2:17, and by Christ Himself in Matthew 5:9-12, 21-22, 38-42, and 43-48?
