v.1-8
1. What is the relationship of "offering yourself as sacrifice," and "being not be conformed but be transformed"? (BKC) As one’s mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God’s Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed and finally able to test/approve the will of God as something good, well-pleasing and perfect. God's will is always good, well-pleasing and perfect but without the offering oneself as sacrifice, not being transform we will not be able to see that way.
(BKC) But only by being renewed spiritually can a believer ascertain, do, and enjoy the will of God.
2. Reflection: How do I perceive God's will? Is it good for me to get sick so that my understanding to Him is deeper? Is it perfect for me to feel upset by other co-workers so that I know how to forgive others and see more clearly the will of God in the ministry?
v.1-2
(BKC) A believer’s offering of his total life as a sacrifice to God is therefore sacred service...Such an offering represents a complete change in lifestyle, involving both a negative and a positive aspect...As a Christian is transformed in his mind and is made more like Christ, he comes to approve and desire God’s will, not his own will for his life. Then he discovers that God’s will is what is good for him, and that it pleases God, and is complete in every way. It is all he needs. But only by being renewed spiritually can a believer ascertain, do, and enjoy the will of God
For one who receiving mercy, offering is a proper response. The offering of ourself is our sacred service. In other word, do I want to serve God or just enjoying God's mercy? How is my offering?
The negative and positive aspect of my changing lifestyle require conscious effort. Do I desire to resist the pattern of this world? Is my transformation just one shot or continuous? Do I get renew by the WOG?
v.3-8
(BKC) A believer’s consecration to God and his transformed lifestyle is demonstrated in his exercising his spiritual gifts in the body of Christ...in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. God has given each believer some faith by which to serve Him...Paul emphasized that human pride is wrong (cf. 3:27; 11:18, 20) partly because all natural abilities and spiritual gifts are from God
The first area to show the transformed lifestyle is the service in the church.
If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith (PNTC) that which is believed, body of faith/belief/teaching (BKC) That is, prophesying—communicating God’s message, to strengthen, encourage, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3)—is to be in right relationship to the body of truth already revealed (cf. “faith” as doctrine in Gal. 1:23; Jude 3, 20)...
(BKC) Whatever one’s gift, he should exercise it faithfully as a stewardship from God.
AM I faithful?
v.9-21
VI. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Transformed Living (12:1–15:13)
A. The basic consecration (12:1–2)
B. In Christian ministry (12:3–8)
C. In social relationships (12:9–21)
1. v.9-10
In Gk, the unhypocritical (adj) love (noun): Abhoring the (neuter) evil thing and being joined to the (neuter) good thing. The explanation of unhypocritical is to hate evil and love goodness. Therefore, this is not just common sincerity, but the sincerity towards God. When we know how to be sincere with our vertical relationship then we are ready to talk about our horizontal relationship with each other.
However, there is no one who is purely good. Then how shall we have relationship with one another? Even with imperfection, let us be devoted to one another in brotherly love or a sense of affection for a fellow-Christian, try to outdo one another in showing respect (BDAG). Even though we are not perfect, but since we are all like that, we are perfect for each other, let's have a race and see who can show more respect to one another!
2. v.11-13 (BKC) attitudes that will make him more attractive to others
Regarding serving: do not lag in zeal (BDAG never let your zeal flag), be enthusiastic (BDAG maintain the spiritual glow, to be stirred up emotionally, be enthusiastic/excited/on fire). Both phrases emphasize the intensity. Not only the tasks need to be done, but doing it with the heat.
3 different circumstances when we serve the Lord (in good time and bad time): In hope and in the affliction. In all time: in prayer.
3. v.14-21
Out of all the instructions in this passage, only 10 are imperatives. Out of these 10, 9 of them is related in how to deal with enemies v.14 x2, v.19, v.20 x2, v.21x2.
14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse
19 give place to God’s wrath (place-BDAG give the wrath (of God) an opportunity to work out its purpose)
20 if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The group of commands from v.19-21, actually starts in v.18b:
18b live peaceably with all people
The difficult part is "all." I cannot ignore some people because I am older than they are. They are just kids or teens. Why do I need to care about their feelings?
19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
repeated: "avenge, and vengeance" are the verb and noun forms of the same word. Repay is close to the meaning. The difficult part is, as much as I want it, it does not belong to me but to God. Give place to God's wrath or (BDAG) give the wrath (of God) an opportunity to work out its purpose.
20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
When I was mad at someone, I would to like to forget a person and then leave that relationship. However, that's not what Scriptures said. I need to do good.
From Proverbs 25:21-22 the doing good will be rewarded by God. But, that is almost impossible for me to do good for people I have problem with (either I am mad at them or they are mad at me). The transformed life needs to have a renewing of the mind. Without that and the power of the HS it is impossible for me.
4. Why?
Not only the Scriptures teaches not to revenge (v.17), but here it also commands us to bless, to give, and to overcome evil with good. It can only be done when we present ourselves as sacrifice, and be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Then we can see the will of God, no matter it is His wrath or His other will.
When we deal with our enemies or when we hate it is the most intense of our own emotion. Therefore Paul used a stronger voice in order for us to listen accordingly.
Reflection:
Do I obey God in dealing with my enemies? If not, have I not seeing or not willing to give opportunities to the will of God to work out its purpose?
Summary and reflection
1. love one another v.9-10
v.11 Serve the Lord with enthusiastic
v.12-21 Endure in suffering, and dealing persecution
2. If one do not present themselves and see God's will be good they will not be able to do what is reverse to the world's worldview.
3. Superficially we may teach that but we do not really think that way or some may even promote the reverse. (Love yourself)
4. The church will be different if we love and serve like v.9-11.
5. cling to what is good
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