Living as a Righteous Person with Others, Romans 12 by Lisa Goolsby and Brant Bryan

Romans 12:1-8  (Lisa Goolsby)

I long to be a living sacrifice.  I search within myself to find the parts of me living in ‘view of God’s mercy.’  How few times do I reflect on the impact of God’s mercy when making decisions or interacting with others?  How quickly do I jump to conclusions about God’s will for myself and especially for others?  But I cling to Paul’s words. I will offer myself as a living sacrifice, fight against the ways of the world and be changed by the word of God. 

I’m convicted by Paul’s connection between our bodies as living sacrifices and all of us being many members of one body. The mercy and grace I have received from God leads me in to community.  My living sacrifice to God is the way I use the gifts he has given me among His people.  In that same vein I am comforted knowing that I’m not in this alone!  We are partners and friends in this life on earth and God has given each of us the perfect gift to share with each other.

Romans 12:9-21 (Brant Bryan)

Let’s be honest:  This world is all about me.  At least, that is way I usually see it.  I’m not alone.  You see it the same way.   

Almost everyone I know, including you, struggles with self-centeredness.  With self-absorption.  We instinctively interpret everything from our perspective, we are self-protective, and we try and solve problems with me as part of the answer:   

• What is best for ME?
• How do I grow in MY relationship to God? 
• How do I prepare for MY retirement?
• What type of worship/music/sermon/class speaks the most to ME?
• What do I need to do to improve MY health? 
• How can I use MY talents best in service for God?  What does he have planned for ME?
• What makes ME happy/ fulfilled/complete? 

This is one of the most basic parts of the human condition.  We have a hard time getting outside ourselves. 

The Roman church has a problem with conceit and arrogance.  People seem to be trying to take care of their rights, their concerns, and their needs.  In chapter 12 Paul shifts from telling WHY none of us should over-value ourselves to HOW we should live given this perspective.   

I think this chapter is particularly about how members of the body (that means you and me) live together.  In the first part of chapter 12 Paul talks about how we should be sacrifices, are one body, and how we function in a ways to care for each other.  Beginning in verse 9 he describes a life free from conceit, arrogance and self-centeredness. 

• Love is real.
• Honor others above ourselves. We help others achieve their goals and forget about ours.
• Share because others have need. Not because of what we have.
• When people mistreat us, we still work to help them.
• Focus on the other person and don’t worry about how it looks.
• Live at peace and don’t try to get even.
• When bad stuff hits, we strike back with the really good stuff: love, kindness, and joy. 

This is what life looks like when it is not about ME, but about OTHERS.  It seems that this perspective is what God has always been about from Creation to Easter to Today.  He is doing everything for us.   

My goal:  Stop thinking about me as the central part of the answer.  Love others enough that I am focused on them and their needs.