Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Romans 12

http://www.esvbible.org/Romans+12/

In light of everything in this letter, Paul says it's clear that the truest way of worship is to offer your bodies as living sacrifices to please God. We do this by not living like the rest of the people in the world. Not that we are weirdos but that we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Don't let this way of acting lead you to think higher of yourself than you should. Instead, use good judgement for what God tells you to do. A body has many different parts that do different things but they are all connected and come together so that we can go through life. In the same way, Christians are many different people, but through faith in the One True God, we are all connected in the body of Christ. God gave us different Spiritual Gifts and we therefore are important to different aspects of the body of Christ in a specific way. God will use us in those ways. We use a foot in the way a foot is supposed to be used. In the same way, God uses people with the gift of teaching to teach. He uses people with the gift of giving to give, and the person with the gift of serving to serve. If He did not grant you a certain gift, do not fear, He will not make your primary purpose something like that. For example, someone without the gift of giving will not find their primary purpose in funding missionaries. But we are all called to give in some capacity. You do not use a foot as an elbow, and in the same way, God does not use you primarily where your gift does not match. Always love others sincerely and hate evil. Be a family with other believers, especially those around you, Don't be lazy in devotion. Be happy and patient. Pray ceaselessly. Share your relationship with God. Be hospitable. Bless those who persecute you and don't curse them. Live harmoniously. Be empathetic. Don't think you are smarter than you are. Don't be arrogant. Don't repay evil with evil. Live in peace with everyone as much as you can. Don't take revenge. It is God's place alone to take revenge. If you show kindness to your enemies, you will make them feel guilty. Don't let evil conquer you but conquer evil with good.

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