1. Context: (BKC)
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)
The social relationship in transformed living is based on v.1-2
12 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. 2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
2. Content:
In what areas do I need to be transformed:
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.
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