ROMANS 12

REJOICE IN HOPE, BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATION, AND CONSISTENT IN PRAYER

After reminding the Romans of the grace and kindness of God, Paul encourages the people to respond accordingly. Paul urges the believers to present themselves as a living sacrifice to God, serving and worshiping God and aiming for holiness. Paul challenges the believers not to be conformed by their culture, but to focus on Jesus so their minds will be renewed with truth. In doing this, they will be able to discern God’s perfect and pleasing plans.

Desiring humility among the people, Paul calls them to not think of themselves more highly than they ought, but evaluate themselves with sober judgment. Although Paul considers the believers to be one body in Christ, he specifies that not all members have the same function. Through God’s grace, followers of Jesus have been given many different gifts, including prophecy, service, teaching, generosity, mercy, encouragement, and leadership.

Although faith is the only requirement for salvation, Paul states that the authentic response to faith is genuine love. Paul advocates for showing honor, rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer. He calls believers to rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, and live peacefully with others whenever possible. He gives advice for responding to evil, calling Christians to act honorably and overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.