Some Plain Lessons from Rom. 12

ROM. 12 is one of the plainest chapters in the New Testament relative to

Christian living. In this study we want to call attention to some of the plain

and practical lessons.

We learn from verse 1 that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices

to God. This is called a "reasonable." or a "spiritual." service. Our bodies

belong to God and should beused in his service. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in

your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.'' (1 Cor. 6:20.) We have no

right to use the members of embodies in any way that does not meet the

approval of God. What a glorious church indeed we would have if every

member of the spiritual body would use every member of his physical body

to glorify God!

''And be not conformed to this world." So many of the members of the

church are conforming to this world. They are fashioning themselves after this

world. We are in the world, but not of the world. Christians should have no

entangling alliances. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what

communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14.) It is easy to get yoked

with unbelievers in lodges, boards, business, etc. Brethren, be careful. Do not

get your neck in a yoke.

"But be ye transformed." How do we do this? This is brought about by the

renewing of our minds. Our minds need renewing from day to day. We ought

to be so full of the word of God that our minds are constantly being renewed.

We should have our minds so full of the will of the Lord that other things will

be crowded out more or less.

We ought not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.

How many heartaches have been brought about by thinking too highly of self!

We ought to esteem others better than self. We ought to think soberly. When

we think soberly, we shall not think too much of self.

In verses 4 and 5 we learn that this body of ours has many members, but

all members have not the same office or work. A man would be a fool if he

were to say that he has more than one body, or that all the members of his

body performed the same work. Well, in the sight of the Lord a man is a fool

that will argue that there is more than one spiritual body, or church. The

church has many members, but there is just one body. Each Christian is a

member of that body. Different Christians havedifferent abilities. We should use our several abilities for the advancement and

good of the body. Each member has his work to do. When he does not do it,

the body is crippled to that extent. The writer of this chapter calls these

different abilities "gifts." One is gifted along one line and another along a

different line. When we all use our ''gifts.'' the body moves gloriously on; and

the most lowly and humble member is very necessary. "Nay, much more those

members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." (1 Cor.

12:22.) And do not forget this: ''Whether one member suffer, all the members

suffer with it: or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

(1 Cor. 12:26.)

"He that giveth. let him do it with simplicity." This means with liberality.

Too many of us members do not give with liberality. Some will spend more

of their money for the foolish and sinful things of this life than they do to

advance the interests of the cause of Christ. Things are worth to us just about

what we are willing to invest in them. Your religion is worth just about what

you are investing in it. How much are you investing in money, time, and

talent?

"He that ruleth. with diligence." It seems to me that this would apply to

the elders in a special sense. They are the rulers of the congregation. They

watch for our souls. What a responsibility! The real elders appreciate this

responsibility. They know that they are going to have to answer to God for the

souls that are under them. How careful and prayerful this ought to make them!

"Obey them that have the rule over you. and submit yourselves: for they watch

for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy,

and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Heb. 13:17.) No wonder

a qualified man almost shrinks from being an elder. To think of giving account

to God for the souls of others is almost enough to make a man draw back.

"Let love be without dissimulation." Dissimulation is hypocrisy. The love

of Christians must be the genuine thing, not pretended or hypocritical. The veneer of dissimulation is too thin not to be

detected by all. God knows when our love is sincere. Our loved ones know it.

The brethren know it. Our friends know it.

"Not slothful in business: fervent in spirit: serving the Lord." To be

successful in any business we must not be slothful, lazy, and trifling. This goes

double for the business of being a Christian. There is no such a thing as a

slothful, lazy, trifling Christian. We must be fervent and earnest. We cannot

serve the Lord in any other way. He will not accept a halfhearted service.

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.''

The hope the Christian has makes him rejoice in all the trying scenes of this

wicked world. This hope springs eternal in the human breast. It carries him

through all of his tribulations. It is an anchor to the soul. You cannot shake

the Christian because of this hope he has. It even causes him to continue

instant, or urgent, in prayer.

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." There are

saints in whom we can and must minister. The church must take care of her

own. There are always deserving saints who are in dire need. Here is an

opportunity for the Christian. He would not think of turning this charitable

work over to some other organization. He is full of hospitality. It does one's

soul good to be around him. He makes you feel at home. He cannot do enough

for you.

''Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not." The Christian is

a source of blessing, not of cursing. He will even bless the ones that would

persecute him. That spirit is so contrary to the spirit of the world. The world

cannot even understand such a spirit. You have to be a Christian to appreciate

such a spirit. Christ had this spirit. If we are his, we have it.

''Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Some

have cause for rejoicing. That makes the Christian rejoice with them. Others are weeping. And what a consolation to have

the Christian weep with them!

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of

all men." This is too plain to be misunderstood. We must return good for evil.

We must not retaliate. And a Christian is the very personification of honesty.

His honesty is never questioned by those within or without. All know he is

honest.

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you. live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves. . . . Therefore if thine enemy hunger,

feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. . . . Overcome evil with good."