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Romans 12 is a great chapter on practical Christian living, showing us how we ought to be. We ought to be transformed presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1,2). We ought to use our bodies and our souls for the Lord. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:2). We need to renew our minds by study of the Scriptures so that we can know what is the will of God. Each of us has great potential to be used by the Lord. Let us willingly give ourselves to His service. We ought to be modest and humble as Christians. Paul continues, “For I say, through the grace give unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3). They were given miraculous gifts and some thought they had greater gifts than others but there were no greater gifts. All were a part of the body and each gift was necessary in the giving of the gospel to the world. We do not have miraculous gifts and certainly should not think of ourselves above others in the Lord’s church. All members are necessary to the proper function of the church and God is no respecter of persons so we should not be either. We as Christians should be generous in our giving. He talked about men filling their places as teachers, exhorters and rulers then he said, “He that giveth let him do it with liberality.” (Rom. 12:8 ASV). All through the Bible God’s people were liberal givers. There is never a record of people giving less than ten percent of their earnings. We should first give ourselves to the Lord then it is easy to give of our means in God’s service. It shows our love for the Lord (2 Cor. 8:24). As Christians we should be sincere in our love for one another. “Let love be without dissimulation” (Rom. 12:9). Without dissimulation means without hypocrisy. We purify our souls in obeying the truth unto the unfeigned love of the brethren (I Pet. 1:22). All of us have obeyed the same gospel for the same reasons and have the same hope. Therefore We should “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Rom. 12:10). “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.” We need to love to be together in worship and fellowship and we will be when we love one another sincerely. We need to be energetic as Christians. “Not slothful in business; fervent in sprit; serving the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11). God has purified unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works (Tit. 2:14). Our zeal for the Lord causes us to be faithful in worship and Bible study. Our zeal for the lord causes us to tell others the message of the gospel and the plan of salvation to be obeyed. As the Jerusalem Christians went everywhere preaching the word, so will zealous Christians go into all the world with the precious saving gospel message. We need to Be patient in the trials that come our way. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). We are told that if we suffer as Christians we are not to be ashamed but to glorify God in this name (I Pet. 4:16). Whether it is sickness, family trouble, church problems or any other things that trouble us we should patiently endure in the service of God. We should be concerned about our brethren and also be concerned with the trials of all men. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15). The concern shown to others in time of sickness and death is a wonderful way to help people. We should be a happy people. We are told to rejoice with the rejoicing people. Christians have so much for which to be happy. Our sins are forgiven. We have access to the throne of grace in prayer. We have a Father who will forgive us if we sin and confess our sins unto him. We should be a peaceable people who return good for evil and try to help those who would harm us (Rom. 12:17-21). “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good”. WE RECOMMEND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE TO ALL PEOPLE.
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