Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Our Reasonable Service (part 4)

Understanding the basic ideas taught in Romans 12:1 will unlock the rest of the chapter, which tells us how we should treat one another in church. Many today do not esteem church as important as Christ treats the church. Our reasonable service includes:

1. Be not conformed to this world – v.2
2. Be Transformed – v.2 (also tells us how to be transformed).
3. Don’t think proudly – v.3
4. Think soberly – v.3
5. There are distinct offices in the church – v.4
6. The church is one body having many members, each being important - v.5.
7. There are distinct gifts that each member are to serve the Lord with -v.6-8.
8. Let love be without dissimulation (‘hypocrisy’) – v.9
9. Abhor that which is evil – v.9
10. Cleave to that which is good – v.9
11. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love – v.10
12. In honor preferring one another – v. 10
13. Not slothful in business – v.11
14. Fervent in spirit – v.11
15. Serving the Lord – v.11
16. Rejoicing in hope – v.12
17. Patient in tribulation – v.12
18. Continuing instant in prayer – v.12
19. Distributing to the necessity of the saints – v.13
20. Given to hospitality – v.13
21. Bless them which persecute you – v. 14 (‘bless’ – is repeated)
22. Curse not – v.14 (treat them right – comment mine)
23. Rejoice with them that do rejoice – v.15
24. Weep with them that do weep – v.15
25. Be of the same mind – v.16
26. Mind not high things – v.16
27. Condescend to men – v.16
28. Be not wise in your own conceits – v.16
29. Recompense to no man evil for evil – v.17
30. Provide things honest in the sight of all men –v.17
31. Live peaceably with all men – v.18
32. Avenge not yourselves, vengeance is the Lord’s – vs. 19-20
33. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. – v.21

These are just the verses found in ch. 12; ch.13-15 provides more practical truths to follow.

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