Sunday School Lesson 9: Faith and Transformation, Romans 12:3-8, January 28, 2024.
Key Text: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us (Romans 12:6a).
Paul is speaking to Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God” (Romans 12:1) as he deals with what their responsibility is to others who have received the righteousness of God. In Paul’s theology, spirituality is not some mindless flittering of the heart but is the presentation of an entire life to the Lord. In that, Paul cautions the believer not to be fashioned after this world or age but transformed in mind. This is the center of logical reasoning, ethical judgment, and moral awareness, which must be completely changed if we are to live a life that is holy and acceptable unto God – “That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” v 2.
Paul urges the Christians to be grateful for their God-given gifts rather than proud v3. Even Paul’s authority to speak in “the way” comes from grace which is the gift of apostleship. These divine gifts will produce humility, graveness, and sobriety. We have many members of our body and they are highly valuable; but, not in duplication. Likewise, a high value of gifts lies in their diversity rather than in their multiplicity. What is the believer to do with his gift? “Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith, ministry, let us wait on our ministering, he that exhorteth, on exhortation, he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity, he that ruleth, with diligence, or he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness for the proper functioning of the body of Christ vs 6-8. One gift cannot be exalted over another!
This transformation is exhibited in love for thy brethren without dissimulation (hypocrisy or insincerity) v 9. We should not expect God to remove sin from us until we actually hate it and have been rooted out in our transformed life. Hating sin and loving goodness is a negative and positive statement of a Christian’s experience. Paul states that moral love is not selfish, but prefers the brother above self v 10. It is not love unless it is moral! Not only must we love in honor “preferring one another,” we are required to serve the Lord in an energetic and enthusiastic manner v 11. So, Paul discussed vital Christian traits which exhibit love of the brethren who are poor and in need of hospitality. We need to have a genuine concern for those who are less fortunate, automatically extend our love, and provide as commissioned in Matthew 25:35-37 AMEN!
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