Romans - Part 14

Christian Living

The Audio Version of today’s note is advised.

The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20241113 - Romans - Part 14 - Christian Living

Romans 12:1-21 KJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] 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. [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. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [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, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] or he that exhorteth, 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; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; [12] rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; [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, 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. [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.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.12.1-21.KJV

Note for 20241113

We have recently looked at Romans 12, but let us look at it again. What are our lives supposed to look like, when viewed under scrutiny? Do you still remember how Christ said in the Sermon on the mount that, unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and scribes, we shall in no case enter the Kingdom of GOD. (Matthew 5:20) Let us then also look at what Paul writes to the Corinthians...

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 KJV

[23] All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [24] Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.10.23-24.KJV

Though we have liberty in Christ Jesus, we must be mindful of that which our lives transmit to others; not all things are good in itself, though it might be permissible, it might hold harm for others. We are thus mindful, not just of our own weakness, but also of the weakness in our fellow man. What is good for one, is not necessarily good for all. A very simple example of this, though it is not the only one, is that of alcohol. A little wine can help with infirmity, but a man with a weakness for it, cannot contain himself to just a little.

The Christian life, friends, is not just for our own salvation. Don't you know that it is in man's nature to judge one another? So, what we do is better done in truth, less we come across as hypocrites and do harm to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our words and deeds shall be scrutinized by the world, just as Satan holds a close eye on when he can bring a charge against us before the LORD. Be thus not surprised when an unbeliever suddenly knows scripture in great detail, when they come against you. Did Satan not test Jesus in the wilderness by quoting scripture too?

Yes, it is complicated again, friends. Applying the Word of GOD to our lives will always highlight our spiritual infirmities. Our shortcomings take center-stage, with spotlights on it. All things that are hidden shall be brought into the light. What is true wealth? And is that not the wealth that we ought to work towards for one another? In which business are we not to be slothful in, what is the business that we are called to in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? You see, misunderstood we might think that we are called to be slave workers in the building up of a false kingdom here on earth. If I am a slave, let me be a slave for Christ Jesus. If I be a slave, let me labour for the Kingdom of GOD. What shall that Labour look like then? Much like this, which I am doing while I am writing here and now; writing here to all of you? This is good, because it edifies the church of Christ.

I am a man of little means, some will call me poor, when seen in this world. What I give is not of me. See, all I have to give is this vessel GOD blessed me with at birth. May it stand in obedience to the Most High GOD forever. I cannot even claim fame in the words I write, for it is not my own. No, when the trumpets sound, I am nothing more than the trumpet that is being blown. I am a simple instrument, but mighty in God's Hand.

Did you read here in the text of the different members in the body? Don't compare yourself with one another. GOD knows why He created you, wait on Him with patience. (Psalm 27:14) Be still and know that He is GOD. (Psalm 46:10) If you find that the waiting has become long, wait still; do the good you find to do while you are waiting to hear from Him. There is a common good to do, such as this that is written here in Romans 12. Sometimes, all that GOD requires of us is to stay when others would have left, or to leave when others would have stayed. When we trust in the Lord, we also trust Him in our location, situation and circumstance; even those He lent us to and those that are lent to us. Bring all things to GOD in prayer, especially those things that we think we know in our own self. Remember, the carnal man stands in enmity with GOD.

May the LORD be our guide in all, may all work together for His Glory. May the LORD Bless and Keep you.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 39)

Mark 4:36-40 KJV

[36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. [37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. [38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? [39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.4.36-40.KJV

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