Romans Chapter 12
Originally posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Romans Chapter 12:1-8
The New Life in Christ
Chapter
twelve begins a three-chapter section on the Christian life. Paul pays
particular attention to relationships with others of the Christian
community and civil authorities. He begins with two spiritual
principles defining the inner experience of those who are in Christ. Together
they serve as the basis for Paul's presentation of the new life in Christ. The
experience of re-centering one's life toward God is, for Paul, found in the
confession of faith in Christ as Lord, baptism and the indwelling of the
Spirit. This is the dividing line - that chasm, which now separates the
old life and self from the new life in Christ. In this context Paul pleads
with the Christians to "present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God which is your spiritual service
(worship)." In Aramaic and Hebrew "body" is "flesh and
blood," and is understood to constitute the entire person, the
cognitive "self," and the sum of all thinking, feeling and acting
processes of what we call "mind and body." This is no small
commitment or simple urging into action. Paul uses the "presenting"
of our bodies as a sacrifice in keeping with the priest's presenting the
sacrifice to God on the Temple altar. This is the symbol of covenant, the
bond forged and maintained between Israel and God. That this is to define
the Christian's new life shows the intensity Paul attributes to the
human-divine relationship. This is the giving of one's complete self to God as
an act of worship and service to God, in the same way Christ gave all of who he
was to humanity.
The
second spiritual principle is not an outcome of or
prerequisite to the first. Paul exhorts the faithful not to
be conformed to this age which he understands to be passing away with
the new age already dawning in the appearance of Israel's Messiah,
Jesus. Rather than conformity in the interim between ages, the Christian
is to be "transformed by the continued renewing of the mind." The
renewing of the mind leads to a proper discerning (understanding) of
"what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God."
Renewal of the mind implies the changing of how we choose to act, speak
and even think. The process is no longer driven by sin (self-serving). Rather,
we can make our choices by discerning, thinking through and proving for
ourselves what is the "good and well-pleasing and perfect will of
God." Perfect in this sense is what is "most appropriate." We
are not under any necessity to conform to the "ways of the
world." Elsewhere Paul writes of the Christian's need to renew or
refocus the mind (8:5-8) and to
have the same mind that was in Christ (Phil.2:5).
Given
this new way of thinking and decision making, one should think of one's self as
a part of the larger community but not the most important part. Humbleness and an unpretentious
spirit are called for in the church where each person has a role, a gift
to be shared for the benefit of all, each according to one's faith. This
is the first time Paul uses the human body as a metaphor for the Church, an image
he will significantly elaborate on in 1 Cor. 12. It is an excellent concept of how the Church would look
were its members to take heed of its lessons. He also introduces the
notion of the "measure of faith" assigned by God. Here Paul seems
to interpret differences in spiritual maturity as dependent upon God's
varying gift of faith. Yet he will also write of the practice of spiritual
discipline as a way of strengthening faith through strengthening our
relationship with God. These two ideas may not be in contradiction. The
strength of faith we have may be dependent upon the openness to God
we strive to develop.
Romans Chapter 12:9-21 Marks
of the True Christian
Paul
presents a mosaic of Christian behavior. The list recommends
itself for study, contemplation and application by all who would take
their discipleship seriously. There is great truth in the maxim that the
genuine practice of one's faith leads to a more mature faith. The lack of
practice leads to the loss of the little we might have. We would do
well to create our own list of these gems, to read them often and meditate upon
their constant call to the better part of our souls.
Let
your love be genuine
Hate
what is evil, hold fast to what is good
Love
one another with mutual affection
Outdo
one another in showing honor
Do
not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord
Rejoice
in hope, be patient in suffering
Persevere
in prayer
Contribute
to the needs of the saints
Extend
hospitality to strangers
Bless
those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them
Rejoice
with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep
Live
in harmony with one another
Do
not be haughty but associate with the lowly
Do
not claim to be wiser than you are
Do
not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought of what is noble in the sight
of all
If
it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all
(paraphrased by Max Ehrmann's 1920s "Desiderata"
Never
avenge yourselves
If
your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to
drink
Do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
This
is the new life in Christ according to Paul. We can only wonder what
kind of world this would be if these few tenets were practiced by the people
called Christians or any other name.
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