Monday, November 28th: Romans 12-14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Romans 12-14

It didn't take me long to hit a "stand out" verse in our passage today.

12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Why do we submit our bodies to God, striving to live in a way that honours and glorifies Him?  Out of thankfulness for what He has done for us.  As an act of worship.  As an outflow of a heart that has been miraculously changed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  We will be different than the world.  We must be.  If we are not, it is time for some serious self-reflection!


Then I made it all the way to v3.... Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

We need to take stock of our lives, but if we're being honest about that and we're continuing to grow in the knowledge of God and His holiness - we will always be humble enough to know that no matter how far we've come, we still have so far to go!

I feel like I could highlight all of chapter 12!

We are to use the gifts God has given us for His glory, no matter what those gifts are.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Is anyone else feeling convicted while reading this chapter?!  What a reminder that I still have so far to go!

Chapter 14 is quite pertinent to the subject of alcohol and the believer.  I actually just re-read an article by Tim Challies about this very subject today - if you have time, check it out.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Romans 15-16, Acts 20:4-38