Romans 12 and verse 1 reads.
Rom.12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
By the love of God, that you present your body without sin. Through repentance, and that you do this often out of common sense.
Rom.12:2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We pray not for our will, but for Gods will. God only is perfect.
Rom.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.
Pride was Satan’s downfall. But, don’t overlook that it is God that gives grace according to each man’s faith.
Rom.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.
It is the church that is the body of Christ, and each member is the individual within the church.
Rom.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;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[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.
Talking about how each one of us has a different job. One might be the big toe, and takes the word of God on the road. Another might be the right hand and does his works about town. But Christ Jesus is always the head of the church.
Rom.12:9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rightly dividing the word of God. The next few are how we get along in society.
Rom.12:10] 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;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Persecute means to hate, those that hate you bless them. Why? Proverbs 25:21 reads.
Prov.25:21] If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
[22] For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Back to Romans and verse 15 reads.
Rom.12:15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Comfort those with the word, Christ.
Rom.12:16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Jesus said “feed my sheep, feed my lambs”. Know the difference between the young and the elder.
Rom.12:17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Note here that he said “if it be possible”. It is not always possible to be peaceable to all men, but we are to discern.
Rom.12:19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
We find this in Deu.32:35 and it reads.
Deu.32:35] To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
We see here that the Father does a better job with avenging. Back to Romans and verse 20 reads.
Rom.12:20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Again, we have Proverbs 25:22. But let’s not overlook “hunger and thirst”, Jesus is the bread of life. And Jesus is the Living Water. In other words, Jesus is the Word of God. teach them the Word of God. But I like the story in 2Kings Ch.6 let’s read where it pertains to verse 20.
2Kings 6:21] And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
What happened was the whole army of Syria came against the prophet Elisha, and he blinded them and led them right into middle of Samaria.
2Kings 6:22] And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
[23] And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
A very funny story, find time to read the whole chapter. Back to Romans and verse 21 reads.
Rom.12:21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
A smile goes a long way in showing kindness. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible