Pauls message in this chapter rings with relevance for last-day Christians
I’ve pondered often the message of Romans chapter 12 over the years. Most likely, you have, too. One of the reasons I treasure this portion of Scripture so much is that within its verses lies a clear revelation of what God is desiring from each of His children in these closing days of Earth’s history. Since you and I reckon ourselves to be among those who are awaiting the imminent return of Christ, Romans 12 has been written for us!
Here are some of the Spirit-generated thoughts within Romans 12 which have touched me.
I treasure the message of verse 1. Here, God is asking us to offer ourselves to His service as living sacrifices, and He says that He wants only pure, unadulterated sacrifices. We can see that this appeal is only reasonable, for we would not expect our heavenly Father to accept spoiled and compromised offerings, would we?
If you look at verse 2, you will be reminded of the fact that in order for us to be transplanted successfully into the heavenly home, we must become changed into the likeness of Christ. This change will not come about merely by our making the outside “look good.” On the contrary, we are changed into that likeness by a process known as “the renewing of our minds.” The Spirit communicates to us through the mind. The conversion of an individual is not surface work, but rather a heavenly re-creation of the mind.
I love to ponder verses 3 through 8, where God’s Spirit reminds me not to compare myself to my brethren and sisters in the faith, as if my performance were somehow superior to theirs, or vice versa. In these verses I am challenged once again to acknowledge that each member of the body has a place and a work set aside for him or her by God. And I am expected to do well those jobs which God has given me, in a spirit of humility.
I urge you to meditate prayerfully on verses 9 through 21 this evening. What blessed and specific counsel for the last-day Christian! We cannot afford to overlook it in our rat-race pace of living, for we are almost home. It is almost time for the Lord to come. May God give us a sense of urgency to make our calling and election sure.
Yours in the blessed hope,
