Romans 12-13

Written on 05/10/2024

12:1-2

  • True worship and service to God is giving your body in obedience to Him. Serve God by obeying Him.

    • Becoming obedient in your actions begins with changing how you think.

      • Read the Bible daily. This will renew your thinking so that you can live obediently.

 

12:3-21

  • Serve God by showing love to others.

  • Verse 3-8. Love others by serving them and working together.

    • Don't be prideful or think that you can do well on your own. 

    • All believers have grace and faith from God that we use to help each other. We need each other in order to grow.

    • Use your gifts and abilities to serve others.

  • Verses 9-21. Focus on being loving. Love others by doing all of the good things listed here (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

 

13:1-7

  • Submission to authority is important. Serve and submit to God by obeying your government.

    • This includes paying your taxes (verse 7) (Matthew 22:21).

  • Verse 2. If you disobey your governing authorities you are disobeying God, and there will be consequences for this.

    • Obey in every area that does not contradict the Word. If the government asks you to do something that would force you to disobey the Word, then in this case disobey your government.

  • Verse 4. God uses the government for His purpose too.

 

13:8-10

  • All you need to do is love others. If you focus on love you'll obey all of God's commandments. Love for others will be the greatest motivator to obey God.

    • 1 John 2:10 says, “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

 

13:11-14

  • Time is short, so use it well (1 Peter 4:3, Ephesians 5:15-18). You will need to repent of your sins in order to live well.

    • Verse 14. Live like Jesus lived, and don't make it easy for yourself to sin

      • Don't willingly put yourself in situations where you'll be tempted to sin.