Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans

Transcription

1 Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 12:1-21 Inductive Discovery Lesson 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... Paul s stirring declaration at the beginning of this letter set the tone for everything that followed. Because he was not ashamed of the gospel, Paul was outspoken about sin. We re all sinners who need a Savior. Because he was not ashamed of the gospel, Paul did not hesitate to proclaim God s grace. We ve been declared right in God s sight. We are free from condemnation. Because he was not ashamed of the gospel, Paul declared without reservation that God can be trusted. Nothing can separate us from God s love. Because he was not ashamed of the gospel, Paul stated with unwavering confidence that God is in control. We barely scratch the surface of understanding God s ways yet we know that everything is from Him and through Him and to Him! For eleven chapters, Paul has been describing what Jesus Christ accomplished for us through salvation. Peace with God. A place in God s family. Power over sin and death. Unfailing love. Help. Hope. Heaven. All of this is ours, because Christ gave Himself in sacrifice for us. In light of all this, how should we respond? Paul devotes the rest of this letter to answering that question. Romans 12:1-21 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1

2 Working Text for Romans 12:1-21 New American Standard Version (NAS) Note: When Paul directly quotes or alludes to Old Testament scripture, it is printed all in caps. You will find references for these scriptures in the side column. 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 2

3 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, says the Lord. 20 BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL Deut. 32:35 Proverbs 25:21-22 HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. 3

4 Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 12:1-2 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 12:3-8 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 4

5 Romans 12:9-13 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 12:14-21 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 5

6 Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 12:1-21 Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. conformed (vs.2) transformed (vs.2) renewing (vs.2) good (vs.2) acceptable (vs.2) perfect (vs.2) 6

7 INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 12:1-2 Lesson: Application:? Romans 12:3-8 Lesson: Application:? Romans 12:9-13 Lesson: Application:? Romans 12:14-21 Lesson: Application:? 7

8 Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. Take a Closer Look I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 NKJ Memorize Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His requirements, His promises.) 8

9 Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB 9

10 God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... present your bodies The act of presentation lengthens out into a walk of constant surrender. It is to be a living sacrifice, and life involves progress. Our responsibility is to present to God all that we know He asks of us at this moment, and if we are obedient up to our present light, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us fresh areas which we may yield to Him. 1 - J. Oswald Sanders - 1 J. Oswald Sanders, Christ Indwelling and Enthroned, p

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