“The quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits” James Clear
Most of the time we think that renewing our mind is limited to changing old habits into new ones. But the verses that follow the famous passage from verses 1-2 expand this typical point of view. Let’s review: Studying Romans 12:1-2 we see that transformation focuses on three areas:
1. Our Identity 2. How we respond to life. 3. Our Prayer Life
Our Identity:
Verses 3-8 expands renewing our thinking about God and our relationship with Him into recognizing God’s ministry through us! Through the grace of God every believer can discover their uniqueness in a gift area. Recognizing our gift area not only refines our identity but walking it out brings us fulfillment.
Gift areas in our lives come naturally through us for the benefit of others. You may have more than one.
The Seven Grace-Gifts:
Prophecy – motivated to comfort and build up others
Serving – motivated to serve by putting others first
Teaching – motivated to share information to equip and edify others
Encouraging – motivated to inspire and assure others through difficult and challenging times
Contributing – motivated to provide resources needed to empower others to grow and succeed.
Leading – motivated to organize and facilitate direction and bring purpose to fulfillment
Mercy – motivated to come alongside others with passionate and assuring words and actions.
How we respond to life:
Verses 9-21 are random responses to challenges, opportunities and difficulties with life and people.
Loving with sincere love (the real thing)
Clinging to what is good and hating what is evil
Devoting ourselves to others
Serving the Lord with zeal and spiritual fervor
Being joyful in hope
Being patient in trouble
Being faithful in prayer
Sharing with God’s people in need
Practicing hospitality
Blessing those who persecute us
Rejoicing with those who rejoice
Mourning with those who mourn
Living in harmony with others
Humbling ourselves in life rather than pride or conceit
Living in peace with everyone as far as it depends on us
Leaving room for God in relationship when revenge seems appealing
Feeding our enemies
Overcoming evil with good rather than being overcome by it
(See part three for how the transformation of our thinking affects our prayer life.)
0 Comments