Romans 12:1-21 ..Living in obedience

Romans 12:1-21 ..Living in obedience

12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present (exhibit) your bodies (earthly behaviors) a living sacrifice (as given to), holy (morally blameless), acceptable (well pleasing) unto God, which is your reasonable (rational, logical) service. (ministry)

At this verse, one has to consider, what is well pleasing to YHWH? Is it not the actions you would take in living a life of Torah? {the correct answer is Yes it is}

² And be not conformed (fashioned in the same likeness) to this world*: but be ye transformed (wholly changed) by the renewing (making new) of your mind, that ye may prove (test out, show evidence) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The followers of YHWH through Yeshua are told here to abstain from the traditions of mankind, including the rabbinical extras, as well as those to come from the future of Roman Catholicism {Easter, Christmas, observance of saints”} and teach ourselves the disciple of following the commands or instructions of God as best we can in our broken flesh.

* Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

³ For I say, through the grace given 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.

People are all at different points of training, relationship and intelligence, so we need to help people where they need it, not where we think they need it. Also, we have to recognize we have weakness in our own lives that needs assistance and we have to set aside our pride and take instruction from others.

⁴ For as we have many members (people) in one body (assembly), and all members have not the same office: (duties or missions)

⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

It is going to take all of us to get this accomplished by helping one another in the areas of our weakness. If I do not know how to prepare for a feast, and you do, it is your part to teach me. If I know about proper charity, and you do not, I am to teach you.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry (charitable aid), let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth (give instructions), on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth (give comfort), on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹ Not slothful in business (eagerness); fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant (be eager towards) in prayer;

The wandering in the desert for 40 years was the result of tribulation for the Hebrews. They would not give up the gods and idols they had been taught to use in Egypt. God had just revealed to them at Mt. Sanai that He was a jealous God and they were to have no other, yet they kept idols in their possession for almost all of the time spent in the desert.

¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things earthly positions, titles, or rewards, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 63:4 “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.”

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.