Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 115 Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. 3 I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 As we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Too often people want to take the law into their own hands. They want to bring vengeance on those who wronged them. They believe in the idea of an eye for an eye. Paul told the people a better way to act toward each other. He said to give themselves wholly to God as a living sacrifice. Not to conform to the ways of the world, which was vengeance, but to treat others with kindness. They were to use the gifts God gave them for His purpose. He told them to show brotherly love, giving preference to one another, and showing hospitality when the world would persecute them. They were to bless them, not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoiced, and weep with those who weep. When they treated others with a humble attitude, and not in haughtiness, they would find peace with everyone. Paul told them to let God take vengeance. They were to feed their enemy, give them something to drink, and overcome evil with good. Many Christians fall into Satan’s trap to treat others the way they’ve been treated. They forget what Jesus said and do things the way they always did before they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. What did Jesus tell people? Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV) Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NKJV) James also told the people how to respond to trials that would come their way. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV) Satan knows your weakness. He will bring trouble your way so that you forget what Jesus, Paul, James, and others told them: to treat others in the same way they wanted to be treated. Remember it is Satan who pushes your trigger points, trying to get you to react. Instead, remember whose you are, and let God take care of the situation you’re up against. When you do, you will find peace with your enemies. You might even make a friend out of your enemy and lead him to Jesus Christ for salvation. Present yourself before God as a living sacrifice, not conforming to the world, but acting contrary to how the world acts with kindness instead of hate, rejoicing with them and blessing them. Always showing them God’s love. Let God work in you. If vengeance is needed, let God take vengeance. Be the instrument of peace and kindness. Let’s pray: Father, help me see people through Your eyes as those who need salvation, not vengeance. Help me show kindness by rejoicing with them when they rejoice, and weeping with them when they weep. Give me a heart of compassion and forgiveness as I treat others the way I want to be treated. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 8 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.