ROMANS 502                 Chapter 12:9-21               Grace Applications

 
      Romans chapters 1-11 showed us how to think God’s way.  Now chapters 12- 15 show how that thinking affects our lives in real situations - in other words, how we will act when we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds”. (Rom 12:2)
      This passage is not a list of impossible do’s and don’ts, like the 10 Commandments, upon which our relationship with God depends. Our relationship with God depends on Christ’s blood alone, not our performance. (Eph 1:7&2:8,9)
      God has given us everything that we need to renew our minds and so live as described here.  He has given us His word (II Tim 3:16,17) and His Spirit with which to understand it.(I Cor 2:10,12;  Eph 1:13)  Let’s study His word, (II Tim 2:15) believe it, (I Thes 2:13) and apply it to life!  (Eph 5:1,2)
 

Romans 12:9-13:1

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.
 
(Vs 9.)  “Let love (value and esteem for people) be without dissimulation (separating into dissimilar parts).”  Value everyone, not just those in your social, economic or religious group with whom you feel comfortable. 
“Abhor (detest, loath) that which is evil; cleave (stick) to that which is good.”  Let’s learn to judge what is good and evil, and choose accordingly. (Phil 1:9,10;  I Thes 5:21)
 
(Vs 10.)  “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love…”.  Be predisposed to like fellow saints, and value each other as family members. 
“..in honor preferring one another”.  Put the welfare of others before your own comfort and convenience.  Let others take the credit (honor). 
 
 (Vs 11.)  “Be not slothful (lazy) in business...”  Keep up-to-date in your responsibilities. “….fervent (earnest and energized) in spirit (mind)”  Be mentally alert!!!  (II Tim 1:7)
“….serving the Lord.”  “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”  (Col 3:23)
 
(Vs 12.)  “Rejoicing in hope;…”   Remembering our future (I Cor 15:49-55;  Phil 3:20,21) with confidence and gratitude (that’s hope), will keep us rejoicing, (Phil 4:4) and will save us from despair in any circumstance.  (Rom 8:23-25;  II Cor 4:16-18) 
“...patient (having endurance) in tribulation.”  Troubles are opportunities to apply God’s word and see it work in our inner man. (Rom 5:3-5;  I Thes 2:13) 
“...continuing instant (constantly diligent) in prayer.”  Be aware of God always, and talk everything over with Him. (I Thes 5:17; Phil 4:6,7)   Keep His word in mind, because that is how He talks to us.  Then we can see things from His viewpoint and make good decisions. 
 
 (Vs 13.)  “Distributing to the necessity of the saints, ..”  In this age, God does not tell us to tithe (give 10%), like Israel.  Neither does He tell us to give to the poor of the world, or to charities, although we can if we want to.  But God does tell us to help saints, (fellow believers) who are in real need, (II Cor 8:14) and to support those who preach Paul’s gospel. (Gal 1:6-9 & 6:6;  Phil 4:3) 
“…given to hospitality.”  Welcome people with generosity.
 
(Vs 14.)  “Bless them which persecute you: bless, (speak well of) and curse (denounce) not.” 
(Vs 15). “Rejoice with them who do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”  When we care about people, we care about how they are feeling, and will feel with them.  “...Members (of the body) should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (I Cor 12:25,26) 
 
(Vs 16.)  “Be of the same mind one toward another.”  The common purpose of all believers should be to glorify God. (Rom 15:5,6) So “let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;.  …Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…he humbled himself,..” (Phil 2:2-8)  “Mind not high things…” God is not impressed with the wisdom and power of this world, and neither should we be. (I Cor 1:25-29&3:18-20)  “…but condescend to men of low estate.”  Meet people on their level to share God’s word with them. (I Cor 9:19-22)  “Be not wise in your own conceits.” Don’t think you are something you aren’t. (Rom 11:25&12:3; Pr 26:12) 
 
(Vs 17.)  “Recompense to no man evil for evil.”  Don’t even attempt to get even. (I Thes 5:15&22) “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Always be honest so that God, who we represent, is not blamed.  (II Cor 6:3; Titus 2:5,8,10)
 
(Vs 18.) “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  Contention always begins with pride, (Pr 13:10) so control your thinking and attitudes (II Cor 10:5) so that you are never the cause of strife.
 
(Vs 19.) “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place (move out of the way) unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”  God promises to repay, so we do not need to. (Deut 32:35) When we truly believe this, we can leave wrongs with Him and move on.  One way God repays people right here is through the government (Rom 13:1-4), and ultimately all will be straightened out at His judgment seat.  (II Cor 5:10) 
 
(Vs 20.) “Therefore if thy enemy…. “   This is quoted from Proverbs 25:21,22.
 
(Vs 21.)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  If you return evil for evil, you have been overcome of evil.  But if, because you believe verse 19, you don’t seek revenge, but continue to do good to all men, (Gal 6:10) including your enemies, then you have overcome evil with good.  Then evil has failed to affect your inner peace, (Gal 5:22,23;  Eph 4:31,32) or to distract your attention from God’s cause. (II Cor 4:5-10 & 6:4-10

 

M. Dent

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