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About-Him.Com Devotional 06-23-2012 Http://About-Him.Com Doing Our Part to Edify the Body of Christ Thoughts on Romans 12:3-12 Continuing on in Romans 12 at verse 3. Last week we covered presenting our bodies to God as living sacrifices. We are not to be conformed to this world because we have been transformed by the renewing of our minds. We just don’t think, act or react to things the way that we used to do. By so doing, we prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Ro. 12:1-2). Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. God can’t use us when we are full of ourselves. Neither should we deny and refuse to use the gifts that God has given us. There are plenty of preachers to fill the Sunday morning pulpits, but ministry to the downtrodden is sadly lacking. Orators are a dime a dozen, but often their words fly right over our heads, if they are not given with the unction of the Holy Ghost (1 Jn. 2:20). Sometimes a word in season is much more fitting and fruitful than the finest sermon that we can craft (Isa. 50:4). Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. As The apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-24, there are different types of spiritual gifts distributed among the singular body of Christ as the Spirit of God sees fit. Some gifts are visible and spectacular and others work behind the scenes. The important thing is that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving glory and honor to God by Him (Co. 3:17). Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Just as an ear cannot say that it is not a part of our human body because it is not the eye, we cannot say that we are not part of the body of Christ because we have a seemingly less spectacular gift. To make a point by exaggeration: A very physically fit runner may feel that he has no need of his big toe, at least until he loses one. Running then would be a bit difficult. God gives His gifts as He determines, so that His whole body might be edified. Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; We have various and differing gifts that are given to each of us by the grace or unmerited favor of God. It’s nothing of us, it’s all about Him. We are just the conduit that He uses, at His own discretion. Whatever He has given us to say or do, we must do our very best to perform, as He gives us the ability. Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; My brother David, used to tell of when he was just getting started as a young preacher. He would feel a burning message and would ask our father for an opportunity to preach. Dad replied, “If it is from God, it will keep.” Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Being transformed citizens of the kingdom of God, we have a new standard of behavior. We can’t pick and choose the ones to whom we show love. Jesus condemned such behavior in Luke 14:12-14. Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. That’s what we did, when we were members of the kingdom of darkness. Things are different now. We are to have godly affection for each other and prefer others before ourselves. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 1 Peter 1:22 calls the attributes described above, “Unfeigned love.” it’s not something that we can put on for show, but something that comes from the heart, as we let the Lord Jesus live His life through us (Ga. 2:20). Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. To be continued next week, Lord willing. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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