Romans 12:1-8

Changing the way we think about life is certainly a challenge when you realize what creatures of habit we are. We tend to do things and see things the same way and over time such ways become part of the fabric of who we are. In this passage, Paul is challenging the Roman believers to think differently. Their pattern of thinking and seeing their world was self-centered and small. They were self-absorbed about who they were and how they needed to behave in order to belong as a believer and follower of Christ.

Up to this point, Paul has been pointing them in a totally different direction. A brief review of the letter of Romans so far shows how Paul leads up to this challenge to the Roman believers to change their thinking:

1. In chapters 1-4, Paul focuses on what the believers "should not boast in." The message of the good news they received is about a crucified Messiah [despised by rulers but cherished by God as an act of love toward humanity]. They should not boast in themselves - their background, blood line, behaviour etc. God has made a way to restore relationship with humanity that has everything to do with Jesus - not human behaviour. In fact, all have fallen short of God's glory but all are made righteous through Jesus. All are children of Abraham - not just the Jews.
2. In chapters 5-8, Paul then focuses on "What to boast in." What we can boast in is what Jesus has done in us. His endurance patience and hope works endurance patience and hope in the human race so that we will not be disappointed about what God has promised. The second Adam has accomplished so much more than the first Adam who plunged humanity into sin. The second Adam has freed us from the slavery of sin so that it is no longer our master. Our master is Jesus and what a master he is because he is more a friend than anything else. When we try to do it our way, sin takes advantage of us but when we do it Jesus' way, we are freed and the Spirit of God works in our lives to draw us near to God and help us live in light of His love. And nothing can separate us from that love!
3. In Chapters 9-11, Paul then answers the question that was looming in the minds of the believers: Will Israel make it in the end? And Paul adamantly emphasizes that "Yes, they will!" Although Jews, for the majority, have not turned to Christ, in the end they will because the Gentiles will return the favour that the Jews gave the Gentiles, of introducing them to the God of the universe who is creator of all. They will respond to Jesus and be grafted back into the tree of humanity. There is no room for arrogance or personal preference because God sees all people as his and the Jews are no exception. They must be careful [Gentiles] to not be arrogant about their response to Christ otherwise they may lose their connection to God.

The pivotal verse that gathers all the thoughts of chapters 1-11 together is chapter 11:32 "For God has imprisoned all people in their disobedience so that He might have mercy on them all." Paul ends chapter 11 by exclaiming, "What a God we serve!" It is through Him that everything exist and everything has been made for!

The only thing left to do on our part as human beings, says Paul in Chapter 12, is to give our lives over to God! Its the reasonable thing to do. It makes sense. When there is a God who goes to the lengths he does for us, the only thing for us to do is to give our lives to Him. As we do that, God's Spirit begins to change the way we view the world and people. Rather than judge and evaluate by placing categories of division, God puts His love in our hearts and we are able to love and embrace those around us. In the passage to come for next week [Romans 12:9-21] Paul will focus on what this looks like. Ultimately, it is the key to pushing back evil in our world - responding to evil with good - the Law of Christ that advances God's Kingdom in this world!

Questions:

1. Do a quick review of the letter of Romans so far. What have been the highlights for you?

2. Think of ways that God has encouraged you by His Spirit to look at the world differently?

3. What is your place in this community? What gifts has God given you that make you a unique contributor to this community?

4. Tell someone about your gifts.

5. Think about how you can use your gifts to advance God's cause in our world?