Romans Chapter 12

Jennie:

Here's my thoughts on chapter 12:

- vs. 1: Therefore (because to God be the glory forever) present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. This is worship. And I like that it says "by the mercies of God, we can't do it all alone.
- vs. 2: God's good, acceptable, and perfect will can be known if we are 1. Not worldly 2. being transformed by the renewing of our minds
- vs. 3: I feel like we use this verse to say that everyone has been allotted some portion of faith from God, but do you think this is more saying that for believers, our faith helps us not think too highly of ourselves?
- vs. 4-8: Though there are many believers in Jesus Christ, we are one body
- vs. 9: "cling to what is good": This stands out to me because Proverbs 31 says I need to do my husband good and not evil all the days of my life. Lord, help me cling to good!
- vs. 10-13: Ooo, lots of good stuff here:
      - Be devoted
      - Have brotherly love for one another
      - Honor each other
      - Be fervent in spirit and diligence
      - Serve the Lord
      - Rejoice in hope
      - Persevere in tribulation
      - Be devoted to prayer
      - Contribute to the needs of others
      - Practice hospitality

- vs. 14-21: More good stuff (notice it never says "protest against people you disagree with")
      - Bless those who persecute you
      - Rejoice with those who rejoice
      - Weep with those who weep
      - Associate with the lowly
      - Don't be "wise" and haughty in your own mind
      - Never pay back evil with evil
      - Respect what is right
      - Be at peace with all men (not just talking about other believers here), so far as it depends on you (boundaries!)
      - Never take your own revenge
      - Leave room for God's wrath, for it is his to repay
      - Feed our enemies, give them something to drink
      - Overcome evil with good