The two keys to a vital life are contained in this particular chapter of the BOOK of ROMANS. I’m so glad I finally figured out what is essentially a simple daily exercise. ◊
So now we get to the final major content section of Paul’s instructive letter to the Christians in Rome. This popular chapter, ROMANS 12, particularly the first couple of verses, is what has proven to be the most impactful guidance for my own personal development as a Christian.
Once I understood the succinct challenge that Paul was laying out to all of us, I started to see Christianity as something that was actually livable as a practical process to coincide with God’s loving grace, mercy, and provided hope.
ROMANS Summarized So Far
While this study here of the BOOK of ROMANS has been conducted chapter by chapter spending two study sessions (published posts) per chapter, one can summarize the entire 16 chapters in bite-sized chunks as follows:
- Introduction (Chapter 1:1 – 1:17)
- The World’s Need for God (Chapters 1:18 – 3:20)
- Justification By Faith Alone (Chapters 3:21- 5:21)
- The Believer’s Life in Christ (Chapters 6:1 – 8:39)
- Jew and Gentile in the Plan of God (Chapters 9:1 – 11:36)
- Ethical Teaching (Chapters 12:1 – 15:13)
- Conclusion and Postscript (Chapters 12:14 – 16:37) 1
ROMANS 12 – Transformation Through Surrender
While beginning the section on practical ethical teaching, ROMANS Chapter 12 represents a big shift in tone and message. It essentially begins with a big sigh, a big “therefore…” – like a pause before launching into the practical consequences and implications of the first 11 chapters:
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. 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. (Romans 12:1-2)
These are the verses that hit me hard.
With all the previous ROMANS 1-11 heady talk about sin and the need for restoration with God via faith, and the enablement of our maneuvering through this world with the love and grace of the Holy Spirit, and a humble understanding that both Jew and Gentile are blessed to be given a new opportunity to unite with Christ in faithful identity, now I’m being given very simple yet powerful instructions to follow.
And I can do this. And over and over again if I have to.
Simply put, given all that God’s done for me, I need to think of my whole human life/body in full surrender – a living sacrifice – given to God. It’s an actual act of worship that is pleasing to God.
He wants my surrendered self. All of me.
Then I’m being told to not give in to the world around me – do not conform – be actually changed – be transformed – by a major overhaul of my mind.
Then I’ll be able to see, discern, and accept what God is actually doing in and around my life. And His doings – His will – is good, even perfect.
What clicked for me here were 2 key epiphanies:
- That transformation of my life would come after I fully surrendered my own life and will to God.
- That transformation of my life would also involve the renewing or recalibration of my own mental mindset.
These 2 simple yet difficult actions are what I’ve been working on doing daily for decades. It actually is a daily re-surrendering and re-renewing of my mind. Once I figured this out as a proactive spiritual exercise that I could, and need to, do daily, then Christianity started to become a more vital and practical way to live.
Gifted by God
The next set of verses addresses the gifts that God gives us, and the humble way we should be exercising them:
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. 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 have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3-8)
Essentially, don’t arrogantly think of yourself as better than anyone else. See your role as God-given with gifts assigned to each of us. Together, we, the Body of Christ (Christ-following Christians) can operate in concert, led by our Head/Leader, Jesus via the Holy Spirit in us. Each of us have unique special giftings or proclivities, be they to prophesy, serve, teach, encourage, give, lead, and show mercy.
Use them well accordingly.
Love in Action
This chapter powerfully ends with a profound set of directive actions that cannot be faulted:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13)
Additionally,
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:14-16)
And finally,
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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. On the contrary:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
So while Chapter 12 presents a doable plan for personal transformation and ideal personal conduct toward our fellow man, Chapter 13 will present ideal Christian conduct toward the state, or those in control or our government.
Are you personally transforming yourself spiritually, mentally, and practically in your daily life?
_______________________________
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. 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. – Romans 12:1-2
1 NOTE: These are the literal section headings in one of my favorite Bibles, The Harper Study Bible, Revised Standard Version, published by Zondervan in 1964.
Categories: Abundant Living, Body of Christ, Books of the Bible, Calling, Church, Creation, Devotion, Discipleship, End Times, Evidence, Evil, Faith, Family, Fathering, Forgiveness, Israel, Jesus, Manhood, Marketplace, Old Testament, Parenting, People, Prophecy, Purpose, The Church, Theology
Viewpoints on ROMANS 12 
Biblical Viewpoint 
Hi Michael, I Copy/pasted the following:
“Are you personally transforming yourself spiritually, mentally, and practically in your daily life?”
Can I transform myself? That is monumental task.
I think you mean “choices and scripture“ transform lives. ( personal prayer too)
Thank you for this encouraging message.
Ken😊
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Hi Ken,
Yes, you’re correct. Transformation is a monumental task. We do the work via our choices and actions; God does the transforming. I’ll be addressing more on the “how to” in the next post on Romans 12.
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Michael,Thank you!😊Looking forward to read your next post.You are greatly appreciated for all your efforts.Ken😊🎶Sent from my iPhone
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Hi,
(Romans 12 : 2) says :”Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good & acceptable & perfect.”
The verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is a brief explanation about loving the world.
(1 John 2:15_17) states :‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for The Father is not in him. For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life, comes from the world.’
God loved the world. ( John 3: 16) But we do not have to love the world ; Besides, the enemies & the people in it.
(1 John 2:15_17) states :‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life, comes from the world.’
(Romans 12 : 2) says :”Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good & acceptable & perfect.”
(James 4:4) states :‘Friendship with the world is enmity against God.’
About this world _:
(1 Corinthians 3:1) says: ” The wisdom of this world is foolish ness with God.”
“The wisdom of this world” refers to human wisdom, knowledge, & understanding that are apart from God ; that relies solely on human reasoning, intellect, & experience, often ignoring or rejecting God’s perspective & truth.This includes
1.*Prioritizing wealth ( Matt.6:19).
The worldly success is measured by wealth, status, & possessions
which neglect spiritual riches.
2.Seeking power & control*:
3 *Emphasizing self-reliance
& independence*:
4. *Focusing on outward appearance & beauty*:
5. *Pursuing pleasure *:
The reason not to love the world
or anything in the world, or not to
conform to the pattern of this world, is reflected through the following biblical verses ; that satan is the instrumental of it .
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1) (1John 4 :4) says,‘ Satan is in the world.’
2)’ The earth is given into his hand. ‘(Job 9 : 24 )
3)‘ He is the master of deceit.’ (Daniel 9 : 26 )
4) Satan is a”tempter” (Matt. 4:3) He tempts for our incontinency.’
(1 Corinth. 7: 5)
5)‘By the snare he makes the man captive at his will. (2 Timothy 2 : 26)
About loving the enemies _:
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(Matthew 5 : 44, 48 ) says :‘Love enemies, bless them that curse ,
do good to them that hate .’
‘lf your enemy hunger, avenge not
feed him; give him drink, if he thirst.’( Rom. 12:19-20)
About loving the elected persons :_
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The prayer of Jesus to God is
given, ln, (John 17 : 15-18): “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: Thy word is truth.As Thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.’
We have to love all not in word or talk but in deed & in truth.’(1 John 3:18 )
(James 1: 27) states :’ Pure religion & undefiled before God & the Father is this, To visit the fatherless & widows in their affliction,& to keep unspotted from the world.’
‘God has reconciled the world to Himself in Christ.’ (2 Corinth. 5:19)
So, though satan is the god of this world & has blinded the minds of them which believe not . 2 Corinth 4 : 4 )
‘ Everyone born of God overcom es the world. ‘(1John 5 : 5)
‘ We can escape by our divine nature, from the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1: 4)
‘ Jesus is the living bread given to us, for the life of the world.’ (John 6 : 51)
ln this world, we have to live through Jesus, as The one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world’.( 1 John 4 : 9).
lt is because.
‘The earth is the Lord’s, & every thing in it, the world, & all who live in it.’ (Psa. 24 :1)
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