Love’s Outreach (Romans 12)

Romans 12 urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God. Their bodies should be holy and acceptable because that is our spiritual worship or reasonable service as the KJV says it.

We are not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may discern God’s good, acceptable and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) 

Of course, when we renew our minds, other things change for us for out of the abundance of our hearts, (the meeting place of the spirit and soul which is the seat of the mind will and emotions) the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45) If we desire to bring the body in subjection, we must bring the tongue into subjection first because it is like a small rudder that can bring about (turn, guide) the whole body. (James 3:1 – 18) 

Of course, we know no man can tame the tongue, but we also understand that without Christ, without the Word of God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Yet we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Paul writing to the church at Rome encouraged the believers to let their love to one another be genuine, loving one another with mutual affection. We should outdo one another in showing honor to each other.

Believers in every town, region, state, etc., are like cousins in that while our particular part of the family may hold certain worship traditions, our names remind us of our common heritage. Christians name the name of our Savior and Lord (1 Corinthians 1:2). We trust His precious blood shed on the cross for our eternal redemption meeting the demands of God Himself after having been placed on the heavenly mercy seat. And yet among Christians of different denominations, we find distance and division, we find denigration and arguments. Christ spoke the importance of unity saying by this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you show love one to another. (John 13:35). Among those who name Christ as their savior, there should be love and honor, appreciation and kindness. The world looks on divided Christians and laughs. Division is well known by the world. The ruler of this present world spreads gossip and creates division. Unity and agreement should be unique to Christians, to believers. 

When people not of the disciples were observed casting out devils in Jesus’ name, the disciples forbade them to do so. (Mark 9:39; Luke 9:49) Wars are begun by the us against them mindset. Religions understand the commonality of human beings. They are all named after God the Father (I AM THAT I AM, Yahweh). Those who carry the name of Christ (Acts 11:26) are identified with the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.

Even so Christians are called to reach out to human beings even those thought of as enemies feeding them if they are hungry, giving them to drink when they thirst. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12) We are called to as far as it depends on ourselves to live peaceably with all. Christ came to bring together Jews and Christians making of two kinds of people only one in one new man, making peace. (Ephesians 2:15)