Romans 12

Grace and Peace to you,

Well, I was 11 for 11 in finding memory passages within consecutive verses. It seems that Romans 12 will have to break the mold. A few years ago I thought to myself "I should really memorize Romans 12", and now I remember why. What a rich introduction into the last section of Romans.

Anyway, the verses I settled on for this Chapter Memory Study are:

Romans 12:1-2, 9-10
¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² 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 and acceptable and perfect.
⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.


The Outline Theme for chapter 12 is Righteous Sacrifice of Life and Love.

The first two verses exhort believers to a pattern of godly living. By God's mercy, we are to offer our bodies and a holy and pleasing sacrifice in worship of God. And as we walk with Him, we are to seek His good, acceptable and perfect will by discerning the will of God through a changed heart.

He continues this thought with some words about godly living in the body of Christ. Think 'rightly' of yourself according to the measure of faith God has given you. In the body, we are to use what God has given us; prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, contributing, leadership, and showing mercy. These are the 'grace gifts'. Our brotherly love for each other should overflow along with fervency in service, hope, patience, prayer, and hospitality.

Verses 14-18 shift from loving each other in the body to loving non-believers. We are to bless them, not curse them, rejoice with them, weep with them, live in harmony and be humble in our approach to them. Verse 17 is a charge to be honorable in an dishonorable world. If possible, do your best to live in peace with everyone. Not to the point of compromising the truth of God's Word; but seek to honor Christ in everything (Col 3:17).

Then in the last 3 verses of the chapter Paul adresses godly living toward your enemies. It's one thing to love a fellow brother in Christ, or even someone who tolerates your beliefs in spite of their own. But it is quite another thing to love someone who hates you as an enemy. Our response to those who actively oppose us or wrong us is to "Leave their justice to the Lord, and love the unjust through the Lord". God has promised throughout Scripture to avenge His enemies (who are also our enemies). Our part is to love, feed, clothe, and care for our enemies in need.

The phrase 'heap burning coals on his head' could be from an old Egyptian custom of carrying a pan of burning coals on the head to show repentance. Showing love for our enemies is how we overcome evil with good. Taking wrath and vengance upon ourselves is how we get overcome with evil.

How does this affect my worship?
Worship can be very broad in scope but also very specific in focus. A true act of 'spirit and truth' worship is intentional and specific. A life that honors and glorifies the Lord encompasses all that we are. The first verse of chapter 12 describes this 'whole-life-as-worship'. First of all, as all worship does, it starts with God; 'by the mercies of God'. Through Him and His daily work in our lives, we are to present, (offer), our bodies ('whole self') as a 'living sacrifice'. Christ's teaching in Luke 9 calls for us to deny ourself, take up our cross, and daily follow Him. When a sacrifice was offered in the Old Testament, it was over; dead. But we are called to offer ourselves as a 'living sacrifice'. We offer oursleves to Him today, tomorrow, and as long as we live. Our spiritual worship is a life of acceptable, pleasing, holy sacrifice to God (as all worship should be focused; to Him).

How does this affect my discipleship?
Discipleship does not appear in the list of the grace-gifts (6-8), or any other list of gifts. Discipleship is what we are commanded to do because we are His disciples. It is not contingent upon having 'the gift of discipleship' or any special talent. The only qualification is that you are truly a disciple yourself.