(Rom 12:9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”  “Love”: God’s love through us. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to love through us it will be true love, without “dissimulation” – hypocrisy. Love is not a “feeling”. This kind of love is an action, sacrificial if needed.

(Rom 12:6) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”  What is the purpose of these gifts? Certainly not to lift us up in pride as if these are natural parts of our abilities. They are given for the purpose of serving others in the local body of believers – your church.

(Rom 12:6) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Key words: “gifts differing; “grace…given”. Takes us back (v3b) “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;”.

(Rom 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”   The body has functions of which we may know nothing about yet is vital to our functioning at full peak. So is the functioning of the church. We as a spiritual part of the body may think our not being there harms nothing. We are wrong. Our absence is harming other believers.

(Rom 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”  These are not just clever illustrations to give insight; no, they are spiritual reality for you and me to embrace. We have been joined spiritually to carry on the work of the Lord upon this earth.

(Rom 12:4) “ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”  The bottom line of this section will be: “ A body has many parts doing many jobs. You cannot judge another, for we have not the same gifts and therefore not the same purpose.”

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”   The saved stand in their faith – nothing else. No matter how long you have been saved, you  add nothing to it. It has been and continues to be given to you based on Jesus’ merit – not yours.

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;…”  Pride makes us short memories. We forget we are what we are by the grace of God and no more. We think ourselves better than what we are in God’s sight. God help us all!

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”  Reality: our sinful pride fights in this area of our walk of faith. Mentally we know all we have and all we accomplish is by the grace of God working through us, yet still pride lifts us up in that very same mind. We certainly do not practice: (Phil 2:3b) “…. in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

(Rom 12:2) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”   So, the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God is that you and I be changed in thinking and thus acting as the world unto one that thinks and acts as the Lord Jesus would.