This week are looking at all of Romans 12. Verses 1-2 are the big idea for everything Paul says in the rest of the book, that is what it looks like to live a life as a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The first result of this transformation and renewed mind is a commitment to humility as a necessary part of community participation.
Next, in verses 9-21 Paul describes the character traits that should mark the Christian community. This is essentially a long list of imperatives that are easy to read but crazy hard to live out. I've copied these out line by line in the NLT version which translates the language more into our every day language today than versions like the NIV or ESV but doesn't try to translate word for word with the Greek so much.
Romans 12:9–21 (NLT)
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12 Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil.
Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
I'm not going to bog you down with much commentary today. Today I really want you to focus on the application of these words. So just jump on in to the reflection time today and spend some time on these imperatives applying them to your own life.
Additional Content
Reflection
Read over the list of imperatives again. Some you likely do well and some you likely don't do so well. These are imperatives for all believers, so...sorry you don't get a pass on any of these. Pick one that you are committing to work on. Highlight it. Write it down somewhere and read it every day. Pray over it and strive to be better at it.