Paul begins his advice in Romans 12:1-2: "With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity" (Phillips).

These verses describe our entire walk in Christ. Verse 1 describes the sacrifice of our justified flesh, justified by our faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ours is a living sacrifice, laying down our lives in obedience to God and in service to the Truth and the brethren, just as Jesus did. It is shown in the Tabernacle by the burning of the choice parts of the sin-offering on the copper altar in the Court and the burning of the rest of the animal outside the camp.

Verse 2 describes the development and walk of the New Creation. It describes the work of sanctification in our lives, the molding or development of the new mind in the likeness of Christ. It is shown in the Holy of the tabernacle by the priests (1) feeding at the table of shewbread, (2) dwelling in the light of the lampstand, and (3) burning sweet incense upon the golden incense altar.

However, Paul does not stop in Romans 12 with his high-level description of our consecration. He goes on through the rest of the chapter to explain what he means by his statement, "give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice" and "let God re-make you."

Next, Paul reminded us that the body of Christ has many members — not just us. "For just as you have many members in one physical body and those members differ in their functions, so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are all members of one another" (Romans 12: 4-5 Phillips).

The apostle also compared the body of Christ to the human body in 1 Corinthians 12. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ... But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ... But now are they many members, yet but one body. ... That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13, 18, 20, 25-27).

In both passages, Paul speaks about the diversity of the body of Christ. God has called the members of the church from all nations, peoples and languages. He has called them from all socio-economic levels and all ethnic backgrounds. In Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). God has set every member in the body as it pleased him. It is our responsibility to accept each member of the body as fellow members of God’s spiritual family. Our successful walk as a member of the church depends on it.

Prophecy was never designed for the brethren to use to intimidate one another or Lord over the other brethren. Understanding prophecy was never intended as a measurement of our level of spiritual development or understanding. Instead, prophecy was designed to forewarn brethren, so that they might not be taken in a snare. Today, prophecy does not refer to the development of new spiritual predictions but the review and understanding of those predictions already in the Scriptures. Just as prophecies about Timothy were provided that he might "war a good warfare" (1 Timothy 1:18), this principle is true for the church throughout the Gospel Age and especially during the harvest. Therefore, if the understanding of prophecy is one of the skills that we possess, let us use it to benefit of all our brethren that they might war a good warfare.

Scriptures indicate that service is not restricted to just apostles, elders, or even brothers. The church at Thyatira was praised for their service (Revelation 2:19). The disciples at Antioch provided service to the brethren in Judea in anticipation of a coming famine (Acts 11:29). Zealous service by those in Achaia toward their brethren provoked many to copy it (2 Corinthians 9:1-2). Everyone can participate in some way, large or small, in the service of the truth and the brethren. All it takes is a willing heart and a desire to work.

One of the most important gifts for building up the church is the gift of teaching. Jesus is the best example we have of teaching others about God and his plan. "He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" (Matthew 13:54). He taught the multitudes and he taught them in the temple (Mark 2:13, Luke 19:47). He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matthew 7:29). What did Jesus teach?

• The gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23, 9:35).
• The kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3 7:21).
• Terms and conditions of discipleship (Matthew 5:3-11, 7:21).
• How to pray to God (Luke 11:1).
• Signs of his return (Matthew 24:3,14, 21-22, 27, 30-33).

These are the same things that we should teach. We all have the responsibility to teach as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching [in all wisdom teaching, ASV] and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Paul mentions the next gift in verse 8: "and if our gift be the stimulating of the faith of others let us set ourselves to it" (Phillips). Stimulating the faith of others is translated from Strong’s number 3870, parakaleo, which means to call near, invite, or invoke (by imploration, exhortation, or consolation). Stimulating or exhorting is such an important responsibility, we find this Greek word used 107 times in the New Testament. Exhortation begins with God. God "comforteth [exhorts] us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort [exhort] them which are in any trouble" (2 Corinthians 1:4). We are expected to pass on to others the exhortation and stimulation that we receive from God.

We should do the same. "Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).

Paul continues in verse 8: "Let the man who is called to give, give freely" (Phillips). Our giving is to be done freely, with sincerity, without self-seeking or ulterior motives. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:32: "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" (Ephesians 4:28).

The last gift that Paul mentions is sympathy or compassion. Verse 8 says, "and let the man who feels sympathy for his fellows in distress help them cheerfully" (Phillips). We find the same Greek word translated sympathy and frequently used when individuals approached Jesus and asked to be healed.

Think of the 7 gifts Paul that mentioned in Romans 12:6-8: Preaching, service, teaching, stimulating the faith of others, giving, leading enthusiastically, and sympathy. How many of these gifts require special skills on our part? Perhaps just preaching and leading. The rest just require three things for us to possess them as a gift:

• A willingness to look for others who might need help.
• A willingness to do for others what they cannot do for themselves.
• A willingness to share what we have (time, resources) with others to make up for their deficiency.

Paul continues in verse 9, "Let us have no imitation Christian love. Let us have a genuine hatred for evil and a real devotion to good" (Phillips). Paul counsels that our love (agape) must be sincere, not an imitation. Then Paul describes what sincere agape love is: It detests evil and is devoted to that which is good. Bro. Russell wrote in Reprint 2213, it is not enough to avoid what is evil. "We should intensely oppose the untrue, the impure, the sinful. Sin and selfishness and ‘the spirit of the world’ should be distressing and repugnant to us."

The word "devotion," or "cleave," is translated from Strong’s 2853, kollao, which means to glue, that is, to stick. We are to stick like glue to that which is good. The Apostle John wrote, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God" (3 John 11). If we would be pleasing to God, we must do good and shun evil. "The one who desires life, to love and see good days ... He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Paul continues to define what true Christian love is in verse 10. "Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit" (Phillips). The NASB translates the first part of this verse, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." "Real warm affection" or brotherly love is from Strong’s number 5387, philostorgos, which means cherishing one’s kindred, especially parents or children.

Brotherly love means cherishing our brethren. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:9: "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." God through His word, His actions, and the example of our Lord, teaches us how important it is to love our brethren. "For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20).

In 1 Peter 1:22, the apostle adds that brotherly love comes from obeying the truth. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren." Brotherly love is a touchstone. The amount we have tells us how well we are obeying the truth through the spirit.

Affection for our brethren also means a willingness to let the other man have the credit. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we do not care about who gets the credit. Humility is the key to letting others have the credit. If our humility is lacking, it will be hard for us to give others the credit. Apostle Paul repeats this thought of letting others have the credit in Philippians 2:3: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (NASB).

We remember how the disciples struggled with this before they were begotten with the holy Spirit. Sometimes the disciples argued about who was the greatest among them (Mark 9:34, Luke 22:24). However, once they received the holy Spirit, they obtained the proper perspective on the matter. Let us have the proper perspective on the matter and give our brethren the credit. Let us trust that God knows how much credit we deserve.

In verse 11, Paul focuses on the zeal we should have in carrying out our consecration vow. "Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for the Lord" (Phillips). The Greek words translated into "slothful in business" mean "tardy in speed." The Bible in Better English translation reads: "Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord’s servants." We are to be quick about doing the Lord’s will. Procrastination indicates that we do not delight to do the Lord’s will as our Lord did, and as we should (Psalm 40:8). In the parable of the talents, the one-talent servant, who hid his talent in the earth, is described by his Lord as wicked and slothful, tardy (Matthew 25:26).

To avoid slackness or tardiness, Paul exhorts us to "keep the fires of the spirit burning" (Phillips). The Greek translated "fervent" means to be "hot." The RSV translates the phrase to "be aglow with the Spirit." We are told in Acts 18:25 how Apollos: "being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." Fervency comes from the in-dwelling of God’s holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. Jesus’ fervency was complete because he received the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). The greater the measure of God’s Spirit we have, the greater will be our fervency.

Paul then tells us in verse 12 how to be happy in our consecrated life. "Base your happiness on your hope in Christ" (Phillips). Our happiness is to be spiritually based. It is not based on the things of this earth "where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). Where our treasure is, there is where our happiness will be. Then, when the trials and difficulties of this life impact us, our happiness will not be affected because it is anchored in heaven.

Paul continues in verse 12: "When trials come endure them patiently; steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer" (Phillips). Basing our happiness on Christ will enable us to endure our trials patiently. "Patient in tribulation" means to undergo, bear, and to persevere under the pressure that transforms us into the likeness of Christ. Just like heat and pressure transforms ordinary carbon into a diamond, the heat and pressure of trial will transform our character into that of Christ. This "light affliction [pressure], which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). But for the process to reach a successful conclusion, we must persevere under the pressure.

To persevere, we must "steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer" (Phillips). Prayer is our life-line to obtain divine help in every time of need. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). The Scriptures abound with exhortations about the importance of maintaining the habit of prayer — praying for ourselves, for our brethren, for God’s will to be done.

• "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).
• "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray" (James 5:13).
• Paul prayed "that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment" (Philippians 1:9).
• We "do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9).
• "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

Paul adds that it is not enough to just pray for our brethren. We need to back up that prayer with action. Verse 13 reads, "Give freely to fellow-Christians in want, never grudging a meal or a bed to those who need them" (Phillips). We must freely give to our brethren who are in need.

Ministering to our brethren shows how we would minister to Christ if he were in our midst. Sharing what we have with our brethren is appropriate, since all that we have belongs to the Lord. Paul praised the brethren in his day for sharing what they had with those less fortunate. Concerning the churches of Macedonia, Paul said: "they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:3-4 RSV).

Peter adds that as we have received, we should also give and not selfishly hoard what the Lord has provided to us. "As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10 RSV). Let us be good stewards of what God has put in our hands to the benefit of others.

Then, in verses 14, 17, 19, and 20, Paul makes a series of statements that describe how we should treat our enemies. "And as for those who try to make your life a misery, bless them. Don’t curse, bless. ... Don’t pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. ... Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if He will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance belongeth unto me: I will recompense, saith the Lord. And it is written: If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him a drink; For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head’ " (Phillips).

In verses 16 and 18 Paul exhorts us to "Live in harmony with each other. Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions. ... As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone" (Phillips). Paul doesn’t just exhort us to live in harmony and peace. He tells us how to do it. First, he says be humble. "Do not be haughty in mind" (Romans 12:16 NASB). If we are not humble, then our opinions and desires will get in the way of good relations with our brethren. Second, associate with those who are humble. "Let humble ways content you" (Romans 12:16 Weymouth). If we associate with and focus on that which is humble, that will make it easier to live in harmony and peace. Third, do not become fixed, rigid, and arrogant in our opinions. "Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others" (Romans 12:16 CEV). We need to recognize that we can come to a wrong conclusion. We need to have an appreciation for what we do not know. When we are rigid in our thinking, we make it very difficult for the Lord to teach us something better.