Introduction
How our lives should reflect God’s love and mercy to us.
Verses
1Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
2Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is amongst you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,
6having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
7or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
8or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
10In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honour preferring one another;
11not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
16Be of the same mind one towards another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honourable in the sight of all men.
18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Questions
1. How does Paul say we should react to this world?
v 2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, ...
2. How does Paul say we should treat our brothers?
v 10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honour preferring one another;
3. How does Paul suggest we react to those who do us wrong?
v 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
v 17 to 19 Repay no one evil for evil. ... If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Summary Points
- v 1 and 2 Because God shows us great love and mercy, we should be Godly and not adopt the standards of those around us
- v 3 to 8 We should have a humble opinion of ourselves and use our God-given abilities to help our fellow believers
- v 9 to 16 We should show genuine love and humility in all all our dealings with fellow believers
- v 17 and 18 We should not retalite when we are upset and should do all we can to live peaceably with all
- v 19 to 21 We don’t need to react aggressively to those who try to harm us, because God will judge them
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