Romans 12...
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12 is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of practical Christian living. Reading through it is ALWAYS convicting. My inner man truly wants to live out all of it! Like Paul, I delight in the law of God in my inward man. My desire is to love and serve Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength! Sadly, I find myself, also like Paul, doing those very things that I will not to do! Those things that are the polar opposite of what I read in Romans 12. Oh wretched man that I am! So thankful for my Jesus who did deliver and continues to deliver me from this body of death. Through Him, I am more than a conqueror!
When I had finished reading Romans 12 this morning, my OYB took me to Psalm 22 verse 19.
But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
This morning, I am crying out with Jesus,...oh Lord...be not far from me! Oh, my Strength, hasten to help me!
Father, Enable me to walk in Your way, by Your strength and power..teach me to stay myself on You and find my comfort in Your support. Oh Lord! Do this work in my heart. I want to walk in Your Spirit doing those things that are good and right. ❤️
