Commentary:
Romans 12
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, outlines many important
doctrinal understandings. Think of them as commentary on how to measure the
commitment and extent of your relationship with Jesus the Christ.
1.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service.
2.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God.
Romans
12:1-2 (NKJV)
Here, Paul commands that in order that we might carry out the will of God (on
earth as it is in heaven) we must present Him with a sacrifice (an act of
worship). But instead of the pre-mature death and burning of some innocent
animal on an altar, we are to surrender our sovereign will to His, so that we
can be used in His service in the design of His purposes. Our natural thinking
must be transformed; and completely changed from its natural operation, into
something totally different. Paul identifies the "natural mind" as conformity to
the world.
Jesus also outlines the characteristics of the transformed mind in His preaching
of the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5). Back in Romans, Paul does not leave us
with these lofty ambiguous thoughts, but brings a practical message, identifying
the characteristics of a transformed mind in verses 9-21. Unlike the rest of the
world, "Let your love be without hypocrisy." Learn to truly "abhor (hate) evil"
and "cling (hold on) to goodness."
Paul's
summary of the transformed mind challenges us with 10-15 practical principle
behaviors summed up with verse 21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good."
Wrap Up:
1) The first characteristic of the transformed mind is the ability to recognize
and hold on to goodness; and with determined fervor, see that it is triumphant
against all "get even" scenarios that the natural mind yearns for.
2) Secondly, with humility of mind, trust God to make a way. Let Him change the
things that attempt to confound the way of goodness; with faith through prayer
allow God to minister justice. This relieves us from the ministry of
condemnation and points our hearts with singleness of mind toward the ministry
of reconciliation.
Final Thoughts:
The main characteristic of the natural mind that both commentators, Jesus in
Matthew and Paul in Romans, allude to is one that exalts personal honor and
justifies an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth mentality. But the renewed
mind sees a higher moral order through the humble obedience of faith before God.
Forgiveness must become the hallmark of our attitude toward all people and
especially our enemies. Trusting in the goodness of God, Jesus made a way for
grace, God's ultimate free gift, to find those who needed it most. In this
example, we must follow.