Romans 12 from the Message.....
I don't usually read the Message version of the Bible..but one of the speakers at this Jesus film conference read a portion from Romans 12. It stayed roaming around In my head until I had to share it...read it out loud to hear the words spoken as if Paul, the writer, was right here, sitting across the table, speaking ....and the Holy Spirt speaking to your heart...in a practical way....it is touching...I am by no means negating another translation , just hearing it differently....
Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.
Unlike the cultures living around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you.
Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you.
The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body.
Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.
The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body.
But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them.
Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.
Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.
Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.
Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
There, now, what did Paul speak to your heart about?..
How did the Holy Spirit work in your heart and mind?
What will you do in response to those words spoken?
Thank YOU that you speak to us in everyday language, to sear our souls, convict our behavior, change our hearts...help me personally to put your Word into practice in my life,..that You would shine...Your glory be praised...
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