Studies in Romans Presentation 26. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS: OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17 BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20 GOOD NEWS.

Studies in Romans

Presentation 26

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS:OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20GOOD NEWS : A gospel that changes our relationship to God 3:21- 5:21HOW TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN : 6:1- 8-39

Sanctification 6:1-23 Union with Christ and its implications The Place of the Law 7:1-25 Life in the Spirit 8:1-39A SHORT DETOUR : Questions concerning Israel 9:1-11:36HOW A CHRISTIAN OUGHT TO LIVE : 12:1-15:13In our various relationships 12:1-13:14

1. Our relationship to God v1-22. Our relationship to believers v3-133. Our relationship to our enemies v14-21

PERSONAL GREETINGS : 16:1-27 Presentation 26

Studies in RomansHOW A CHRISTIAN OUGHT

TO LIVE Part 2 Chap 12v1-21

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Christians are to be ‘devoted to one another’. Love binds people together from different backgrounds and with different personalities. It involves a tender regard for the feelings, thoughts and opinions of others.

Even when we disagree there should be an element of tenderness present. The way to promote this [v10b] is to see others as more important than ourselves. We should be eager to seek their advance at our expense, lest by pushing ourselves forward we deny them their rightful place. We must leave it to God and others to advance us, as we deserve.

How a Christian Ought to Live 12:1-15:13

In Our Various Relationships 12:1-13:142. In Relation to Fellow Believers 12:3-13

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‘never be lacking in zeal’ v11 is a reference to one’s Christian walk and service. The real test of faithfulness comes when the initial enthusiasm for a work of God dies down. There is often a psychological stimulus as well as a spiritual impulse associated a new piece of service for God. When original enthusiasts fall by the wayside, it often means that they were being driven by psychological rather than spiritual forces. To keep one’s spiritual fervour does not mean stirring up superficial emotions, but maintaining the spiritual glow in our lives. This is done within the Christian fellowship. It is the coal that is removed from the flames which cools most rapidly.



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Christians are also encouraged in v11 to ‘serve the Lord’. Is that not an obvious exhortation? But Paul is saying, ‘Make sure it is the Lord you are serving and not some other personal cause’. Our apparent service for God can be driven by motives that are not only unworthy of God, but which may harm rather than help both ourselves and the work of God. Paul knew all about this clash of agendas. Whoever else he was serving, as he made his way to Damascus years previously, it had not been the Lord [Acts 9:4].



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In v12 we read, ‘Be joyful in hope’. The Christian’s hope is not uncertain but a certain prospect of sharing in the glory of God. This unshakable truth forms the Christian’s silent source of the joy and equips him to be ‘patient in affliction’.

The hope of heaven keeps tribulation in its proper place, a means of preparing us for glory. Trials drive us to our knees, and can cause even backslidden Christians, to become ‘faithful in prayer’.When the Christian is under trial, he cannot afford to be faithless in his spiritual duties.



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In v13 believers are encouraged to ‘share with God’s people’. This sharing includes, but transcends, material things. Why do we sometimes fail to share with those in need and how best can we remedy this failure?

1. We don't think - we are too self-preoccupied.2. We are insecure - we do not trust God sufficiently with our futures.The believer is to ‘practise hospitality’ [lit. ‘love to strangers’]. This was a form of love much needed in the early Church, and was directed towards travelling and persecuted believers . We must not underestimate the use to which God can put an open home.



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These verses widen our relationship to include those outwith the church fellowship. It is easy to work hard at church relationships, while remaining indifferent to relationships outside it.

Paul addresses this problem by telling believers to ‘live in harmony with one another’. In v14-16. He identifies a number of things that would hinder this harmony.


In Our Various Relationships 12:1-13:143. In Relation to Our Enemies 12:14-21

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First, an inability to deal with those who cause us harm. ‘Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.’ This seems hard, but what is Christianity if it is not a display of God’s mercy to the sinful?

We are not simply told to restrain any resentment towards those who have harmed us, but to wish them well, and to long for them to enter into the richness of God’s blessing. Is not this our Lord’s own example and that of Stephen?



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Secondly, a failure to empathise with others. We might not always be in a rejoicing mood or might be tempted to be jealous of another’s good fortune. In either case, we need to be so crucified to personal interests that we are equipped to enter fully into the experiences of others. We should wear a mask and pretend pleasure in public while privately sneering, or patronise those who are sorrowing while failing to enter into their suffering. We are to guard against both the cankerous effect of envy and a superficial display of emotion.



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Thirdly, a proud refusal to mix with those not in our social set or peer group cf. Jas.2:1-4.. It is God who gives us grace to ‘consider others better than ourselves’, rather than be a people who are full of ourselves.

Looking for the good in others, and taking pleasure in their achievements, is the best way to achieve harmony, and to deal with proud ambition.



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In v17-21 Paul concentrates his attention on the strained relationships we adopt towards those who have done us harm. This is one of the most difficult relationships for Christians to deal with. We read in v17 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil”.

Vindictiveness, the desire to get even with someone for a suffered wrong, is the response of the uncrucified heart. We are the recipients of God's mercy. This knowledge should restrain our desire for vengeance.



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Some claim a contradiction between the O.T. teaching of ‘an eye for an eye’ and Jesus’ instruction to ‘turn the other cheek’. Echoes of the latter are found in v17. However, the O.T. commandment of ‘an eye for an eye’ refers to the public administration of criminal law, and was issued precisely in order to discourage the practice of seeking personal revenge. Private individuals do not have the right to take upon themselves the function of the civil magistrate in punishing crime. A vindictive and vengeful spirit destroys Christian distinctiveness, and so v17b.



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The Christian is to ensure that his public behaviour is beyond criticism. To behave honourably before all men [in response to evil] would mean one thing as a private citizen, and another as a public official. As private citizens, living at peace with all men, is not an option but a requirement for the Christian. He must not be the one to break the peace. The qualifying phrase ‘If it is possible’ ensures that we do not pursue a ‘peace at any cost’ policy. Of course we must not sacrifice truth and honour in the pursuit of peace. Note too the phrase, ‘as far as it depends on you’. We can pursue and preserve peace with others only insofar as it is in our power to do so. We are not responsible when others refuse our initiatives as peacemakers



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If strife is kindled by another [19], we must not allow his attitude towards us to dictate our attitude towards him. Vengeance is not our prerogative. Only God can exercise perfect justice. The righting of wrongs is something to be left to God.

Paul cites Deut. 32:35 in support of this view.



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In v20 Paul quotes from Prov. 25:21-22. What is the significance of heaping coals of fire on our enemy’s head? It describes a burning sense of shame and remorse produced in our enemies, as they become aware of the kindness that we have showered upon them. The heat of extreme kindness can sometimes provoke the sinner to repentance. But note the burning coals of Jesus’ kindness, right up until the moment of his betrayal, made no impression upon Judas.



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Evil is to be overcome by good v21. To resort to retaliation and revenge is to admit defeat, and to be overcome by evil. Victory lies in the opposite direction. Non-retaliation is a personal victory over a spirit of vindictiveness.

The power of well-doing is a much greater corrective to evil than is generally realised [cf. 2 Kings 6:21ff.]. Often in our Christian lives we are more preoccupied with avoiding sin than with doing good. This can make us withdrawn and negative, and even dull.



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Studies in Romans Presentation 26. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS: OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17 BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20 GOOD NEWS.

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