Coachlight Bible Study – Romans Chapter 12

Transformed Mind Demonstrate God’s Righteousness

 

We have taken a journey inside God’s courtroom, and been witnesses of the opening arguments. With these proofs, God has pointed out in no uncertain terms that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  Eternal death is the only sentence that mankind deserves.

At first, it may seem that life is doomed.  We find that when man comes to the realization that he can do nothing to save his own life, he can put his trust in God’s plan of salvation.  When this man knows in his heart that God has already paid the price, that God’s holy plan becomes a reality to him.  God Himself, then imputes His own Righteousness on the man, so that he can stand in God’s courtroom and hear a verdict of not guilty.  This declaration by God is called justification, and the man is on the road to eternal life – not the death he deserves.

God calls this man out to be separated to God, and God’s Righteousness is demonstrated as he goes through tribulations with joy trusting God.  This is the process of sanctification.  Walking in the Spirit, or minding the things of the Spirit, is the way to victorious and abundant life.

In chapters nine through eleven, God demonstrates His Righteousness throughout history by His handling of the Nation of Israel.

After eleven chapters of heavy doctrine, God now gives us the practical applications of His instruction.  Chapter 12 we now find that as we mind or set our affections on the things of the Spirit, the Spirit actually transforms our mind.  We have the perfect example to follow in Christ, and humbling ourselves and conforming to His image, is the purpose for which God predestinated us – Romans 8:29-30.

 

I. Transformed Mind – Continuing From Teaching - chapters 6-8

 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present<3936> your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service<2378>.

Romans 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.

 

A. The word ‘present’ here is the same word used in chapter 6 (yield)

 

Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:13 Neither yield<3936>  ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield<3936>  yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments,<3936> of righteousness unto God.


 

1. We learned that a dead man has been freed from sin – Romans 6:7

a. Paul used the analogy of the slave market – Romans 6:16 above

b. Paul used the analogy of the marriage contract – Romans 7:1-6

2. The process of sanctification starts with knowing beyond a shadow of doubt

a. That we were right there with Christ when He died

1. We died to sin – Sin has no more dominion over a dead person

2. Christ’s shed blood has the power to deliver from sin

b. As Christ rose by the power of the Holy Ghost – So did we – Romans 6:11

1. We now can walk in newness of life

2. The Holy Spirit has the power to make us holy

3. The process of sanctification continues by yielding the members of our bodies

a. Not yielding our members to unrighteousness ending in sin

b. Do yield to God – Our members as instruments of righteousness – 6:13

1. 3696 oplon hoplon hop’-lon – (weapon)

2. Look at the other times this word is used in the New Testament

3. Actually means yielding our members as weapons of righteousness

 

John18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons <3696>.

Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments <3696> of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments <3696> of righteousness unto God. {instruments: Gr. arms, or, weapons}

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour <3696> of light.

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour <3696> of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons <3696> of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

 

B. Service is actually the word 2999 latreia latreia lat-ri’-ah

1. It means the service or work of God by the Old Testament priests

2. Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is our reasonable work for God

 

C. This reasonable service is demonstrated by these two traits

 

D. The first trait is not to conform to this world - 3050 logikov logikos log-ik-os’

 

1. Don’t be poured into the mold of the thinking of this world – Psychology, etc.

2. Don’t mind the things of the flesh – Romans 8:5

 

E. The second trait is being transformed by the renewing of our mind

1. 3339 metamorfow  metamorphoo met-am-or-fo’-o

2. Our word metamorphosis – or complete change of mind

 

E. This complete change proves the perfect (telios) will of God

1. 5046 teleiov teleios tel’-i-os - AV-perfect 17, man 1, of full age 1; 19

1) brought to its end, finished

2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness

3) perfect

4) that which is perfect, full grown, of full age, mature

2. As in Romans 11:4 – Christ is telios of the law

3. That is why He is the Alpha & Omega

4. He sees the whole picture from beginning to end – His foreknowledge

 

II. Thinking Of Ourselves Vs. God Esteem - Humility

 

Romans 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.

 

A. Man has a tendency to think too much about himself

1. Remember it was all Christ in Justification – not ourselves

2. Remember it was all about Christ in Sanctification – not ourselves

3. Remember our part is to set our affections on things of the Spirit

4. Remember we are not to conform to the thinking of the world – Self esteem

B. In fact, from the context of the rest of the chapter

1. Like John  the Baptist - We must decrease that he might increase

2. We need to decrease our thinking of ourselves – Be humble

3. We need to know what God can do with a humble person yielded to Him

 

II. Body Metaphor – Human Body Compared To Body of Christ

 

Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Romans 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;

Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Romans 12:8 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. {giveth: or, imparteth} {with simplicity: or, liberally}

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;


 

A. God’s Perfect Plan is demonstrated as He works the gifts through us

B. Probably best put:

 

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

C. As we yield the members of our body to God unto righteousness

D. So we yield ourselves individually to God unto the gifts - Edifying His body

 

III. The Transformed Mind Demonstrates God’s Righteousness

 

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Romans 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.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 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.

Romans 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.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

IV. Christ The Perfect Example Of The Transformed Mind

 

Just after Christ showed humility by washing His disciple’s feet, He said:

 

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

V. Look What Paul Told The Philippians:

 

Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.


Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. {fashion: or habit}

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:14Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; {harmless: or, sincere} {ye shine: or, shine ye}

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. {offered: Gr. poured forth}

Philippians 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

 

Vi. Look What Peter Said To His Disciples

 

I Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

I Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which…: or, as much as in you is}

I Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {being lords over: or, overruling}

I Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

I Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

I Peter 5:I Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

I Peter 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.