With our study of wisdom that is from above still fresh in our minds, I would like to dig into a chapter that commands application of that wisdom. Of course, the entirety of the New Testament has commands and instructions to apply that pure, gentle, and patient wisdom, but I find that Romans 12 encapsulates much of what the gospels and the epistles expound on, making it a rich chapter for a study.
Romans – An Overview
The apostle
Paul wrote to the brethren in Rome during his third preaching trip (missionary
journey). The church had some members who were Jews and others who were Gentiles,
and these different backgrounds were causing troubles (namely the Jews
insisting that the Gentile brethren be circumcised, as required by the law of
Moses). In this letter, Paul teaches the
Romans about Jesus, His vital importance, and how to live a life that befits a
Christian.
Paul opens his letter in the first chapter by reminding the brethren of their oneness: “Through [Jesus] we have received grace and the apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (1:5-7). He then declares the vital importance and value of the gospel of Christ: “…it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (1:16-17).
Paul goes on to remind the Gentiles that their past was nothing to be proud of, having nothing worthy of holding to, in that they (as a people) refused to acknowledge God even when evidence of Him was all around them. Paul reminds them that in their pagan pursuits, they were drawn on by selfish and vile desires, and did not like to retain God in their knowledge – knowing it would bar them from “doing those things which were not fitting” (1:18-32).
Now these statements may have caused the Jews within the congregation to feel a bit haughty, but as they read on, in what we know as chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that the Jews also had a background of willful ignorance and neglect of God’s law: “…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (v13), “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the breaking of the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.” (2:23-24) Their upbringing and the habits they were clinging to - and imposing on the Gentiles – were not proper either.
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..” (Romans 3:21-23 NKJV)
All have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God. In one sentence, Paul brings all believers to an
even ground and equal footing. There is no difference, they were/we are all in
need of God’s grace and they had/we have access to it through faith. When we are baptized we die to
sin, we bury the old man of sin – choosing every day not to practice it anymore
because God freed us from our bondage in sin – now we walk in newness of life,
giving ourselves to God, in determined service to Him and His righteousness for
holiness (6:1-23).
The letter as a whole, after bringing everyone to a place of unity, instructs Christians to let go of their past and allow the gospel of Christ to renew their minds and transform them.
Are you ready to let go of your past and renew your mind in the gospel of Christ, obeying God’s will, and let it transform you? Are you ready to wholly submit to God and His righteousness so you can not only become holy but in doing so you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?
You can do it! So can I!!