Romans Chapter 12
If we ever wanted to know how true worship is defined in the Bible, we would want to read this chapter. Imagine finding the very words that God Himself asked Paul to record that describes exactly how He wants us to worship Him, the God of the universe. Our worship of Him should be a natural response to our recognition of all that He has done for us and the mercy and grace that He continues to extend to mankind. True worship of God is to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him, ready, transformed for His use wherever He might want us to serve Him.
Let's Reflect
1. How does one become ready for service to God according to verse 2?
2. Notice where this act of worship takes place. Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice and being transformed to be more like Christ is something that we work on individually, not necessarily in a corporate setting of a church (although a lot of transformation can happen in a church worship service). What do all believers need to work on that is listed in the first phrase of verse 2?
Paul uses the same word “transformed” in II Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
3. Paul gives a quick reminder to practice humility. We are to think soberly. To do so, we must recognize who we are in Christ Jesus; and without Him we are nothing. We must recognize that believers are each at different stages of growth in maturity of faith in Jesus. What is the key to spiritual growth? See verse 2.
4. Paul teaches that all believers are members of one what?
5. He also teaches us that all believers have been given various gifts. And since we have all been given differing gifts, we all need to use the gifts that God gave us. Why is one person’s gift just as important as another’s?
6. Verse 9 tells us what the most outstanding characteristic of the believer should be. What is it?
7. As we serve the Lord, there will still be tribulations, how are we to react to tribulations in our life?
8. The last few verses of this chapter may become imperative for us to take heed to as we get closer to the end times. There will be times of persecution coming for the believer and we need to prepare ahead of time how we will respond. That preparation takes place when we spend time with Jesus in His Word and in prayer. Paul speaks about love, living in harmony with our fellow man, and as much as possible living peaceably with all. We are not to seek revenge when our enemy persecutes us. Why?
9. Paul tells us that we are to overcome evil with good. How can we do this?
Devotionals
