Transforming Attitudes: Living a Life That Honors God
Summary
In today's exploration of Romans 12 and 13, we delve into the practical application of living a life that honors God, other believers, our enemies, and those in authority over us. This section of Romans serves as a handbook for life, guiding us on how to adopt the right attitudes in various aspects of our lives. Just as a car or a piece of furniture comes with an owner's manual, our lives come with the Bible as our guide. Romans 12 and 13 specifically provide us with practical steps to align our attitudes and actions with God's will.
The journey begins with understanding our attitude towards God. Romans 12:2 instructs us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation occurs when we choose to copy the behaviors and customs of God rather than the world. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect. This transformation is not just a one-time event but a continuous process that happens in the micro-moments of our lives.
Next, we explore our attitude towards other believers. Romans 12:3 warns us against thinking too highly of ourselves and encourages us to measure ourselves by the faith God has given us. This means living a life that pleases God, getting closer to Him, and understanding what He says about us. We are reminded that we are all part of one body, each with unique gifts to contribute. Celebrating others' gifts and humbly using our own is essential for building up the body of Christ.
When it comes to our enemies, Romans 12:14 and 17-21 challenge us to bless those who persecute us and to overcome evil with good. This attitude protects our hearts and serves as a powerful witness to others. It requires us to resist the temptation to retaliate and instead respond with love and kindness, reflecting the character of Christ.
Finally, Romans 13 addresses our attitude towards those in authority. We are called to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that they are placed there by God. This submission is ultimately an act of obedience to God. However, if laws contradict God's commands, we must prioritize obedience to Him. This balance requires wisdom and discernment, ensuring that our actions reflect respect and honor.
In summary, living a life that honors God involves a continuous transformation of our minds, aligning our attitudes with His will. By focusing on the micro-moments and allowing God to lead us, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace and integrity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Transformation Through Renewal: True transformation begins with the renewal of our minds. By choosing to copy God's behaviors and customs, we align ourselves with His will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect. This transformation is a continuous process that occurs in the micro-moments of our lives, leading us to live a life that honors God. [06:24]
2. Humility and Unity Among Believers: Our attitude towards other believers should be marked by humility and unity. We are called to measure ourselves by the faith God has given us, celebrating others' gifts and using our own to build up the body of Christ. This requires a shift from self-centeredness to a focus on serving and honoring others. [14:18]
3. Responding to Enemies with Love: Romans challenges us to bless those who persecute us and to overcome evil with good. This attitude protects our hearts and serves as a powerful witness to others. By choosing love and kindness over retaliation, we reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel. [22:18]
4. Submission to Authority: We are called to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that they are placed there by God. This submission is an act of obedience to God, requiring us to balance respect for authority with our ultimate allegiance to Him. In situations where laws contradict God's commands, we must prioritize obedience to God. [29:25]
5. Living as Light in the World: Our faith is the centerpiece of our lives, and we are called to live as shining beacons of light. By allowing God to transform us in the micro-moments, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace and integrity. This involves a continuous process of repentance and alignment with God's will, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and truth. [32:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to Romans 12 and 13
- [04:30] - The Owner's Manual of Life
- [06:24] - Transforming Our Minds
- [09:00] - Copying God's Behaviors
- [12:00] - Attitude Towards Believers
- [14:18] - Measuring Ourselves by Faith
- [16:30] - Celebrating Gifts in the Body
- [18:03] - Genuine Love for Others
- [20:00] - Attitude Towards Enemies
- [22:18] - Blessing Those Who Persecute
- [25:45] - Overcoming Evil with Good
- [27:30] - Attitude Towards Authority
- [29:25] - Submission and Obedience
- [32:18] - Living as Light in the World
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:2
- Romans 12:3
- Romans 12:14, 17-21
- Romans 13:1
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 12:2, what is the process by which we are transformed, and how does this relate to understanding God's will? [06:24]
2. In Romans 12:3, what warning does Paul give about how we should view ourselves in relation to others? [14:18]
3. How does Romans 12:14 instruct us to respond to those who persecute us, and what is the intended outcome of this response? [22:18]
4. What does Romans 13:1 say about the origin of governing authorities, and how should this influence our attitude towards them? [29:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and how can this transformation impact our daily decisions and actions? [06:24]
2. How can measuring ourselves by the faith God has given us help us maintain humility and unity within the body of Christ? [14:18]
3. Why is it important to bless those who persecute us, and how does this reflect the character of Christ? [22:18]
4. How can we balance submission to governing authorities with our ultimate allegiance to God, especially when laws contradict God's commands? [29:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you allow God to transform your thinking in that moment, and what was the outcome? [06:24]
2. Think of a time when you compared yourself to others in the church. How can you shift your focus to measuring yourself by the faith God has given you instead? [14:18]
3. Identify someone in your life who might be considered an "enemy." What practical steps can you take this week to bless them and demonstrate the love of Christ? [22:18]
4. Consider your attitude towards current governing authorities. How can you show respect and honor, even if you disagree with their policies? [29:25]
5. In what ways can you be a light in your community, reflecting God's love and truth in the micro-moments of your life? [32:18]
6. How can you actively celebrate and support the gifts of others in your church community, and what impact might this have on the unity of the body of Christ? [18:03]
7. Reflect on a situation where you felt tempted to retaliate against someone. How can you choose to overcome evil with good in future interactions? [25:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through the Renewal of the Mind
The journey of transformation begins with the renewal of our minds, as we choose to align our thoughts and actions with God's will rather than the patterns of this world. Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, a process that occurs in the micro-moments of our lives. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of aligning ourselves with God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. By choosing to copy God's behaviors and customs, we allow His Spirit to guide us, leading us to live a life that honors Him. [06:24]
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific thought patterns or habits do you need to surrender to God today to allow for the renewal of your mind?
Day 2: Humility and Unity Among Believers
Our attitude towards other believers should be marked by humility and unity. Romans 12:3 encourages us to measure ourselves by the faith God has given us, reminding us that we are all part of one body with unique gifts to contribute. This requires a shift from self-centeredness to a focus on serving and honoring others. By celebrating others' gifts and humbly using our own, we build up the body of Christ and foster a spirit of unity among believers. This unity is essential for the health and growth of the church, as we work together to fulfill God's purposes. [14:18]
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you celebrate and support the gifts of others in your community this week?
Day 3: Responding to Enemies with Love
Romans challenges us to bless those who persecute us and to overcome evil with good. This attitude protects our hearts and serves as a powerful witness to others. By choosing love and kindness over retaliation, we reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel. This requires us to resist the temptation to retaliate and instead respond with love and kindness, reflecting the character of Christ. In doing so, we become a living testimony of God's love and grace to those around us. [22:18]
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love, and how can you choose to bless them today?
Day 4: Submission to Authority
We are called to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that they are placed there by God. This submission is an act of obedience to God, requiring us to balance respect for authority with our ultimate allegiance to Him. In situations where laws contradict God's commands, we must prioritize obedience to God. This balance requires wisdom and discernment, ensuring that our actions reflect respect and honor. By submitting to authority, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect systems for His purposes. [29:25]
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans 13:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you show respect and honor to those in authority over you, even when you disagree with them?
Day 5: Living as Light in the World
Our faith is the centerpiece of our lives, and we are called to live as shining beacons of light. By allowing God to transform us in the micro-moments, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace and integrity. This involves a continuous process of repentance and alignment with God's will, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and truth. As we live as light in the world, we become a testimony of God's transformative power and His desire for all to come to know Him. [32:18]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally be a light in your community today, reflecting God's love and truth to those around you?
Quotes
"Today is going to be a day where you're going to find out what it means to have the right attitude, right? The right attitude towards God, the right attitude towards believers, the right attitude towards your enemies, and the right attitude towards those who govern in authority over you. That's today. Today, we're going into the third part of Romans, which is incredibly practical. It's like a handbook to life, right?" [00:00:15] (26 seconds)
"Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way that you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect. You know one of the things since I've been in ministry since 1995 full-time one of the big questions I get asked over and over and over again is this what's my purpose in life?" [00:04:06] (22 seconds)
"So when you read Scripture sometimes, what you need to do is you need to read what it's saying, but you also have to flip it and go, what's it not saying? Here's what it's not saying, but yet it is saying. It's saying this, don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, so what should you copy? The behaviors and customs of God." [00:06:05] (18 seconds)
"God calls us he goes hey copy the behaviors that I set for you and if you copy my behaviors I'll transform the way you think and as I do that you'll go right into my will so watch like this is exactly what Jesus said Jesus said to people he would come up to him and be like hey come follow me what's he saying come copy me the apostle Paul said these words follow me as I follow Christ right copy me as I copy Christ." [00:07:55] (34 seconds)
"Measure yourself, not based on anyone else. Measure yourself based on the faith that God gave you. All right, well, what does that look like? How do I measure myself? If I'm, if I want to have the right attitude so I can honor my other fellow believers, I have to measure myself not based on them, but based on what the faith that God gave me. So that looks like this. Am I living a life to please God?" [00:13:24] (23 seconds)
"Everyone has a gift to share. It's one of our core values here. He goes, here's what I want you to do. I want you to celebrate other people's gifts. And I want you to never think that your gift is so important that it's more important than anyone else's. No, you celebrate other people's gifts. And then you humble yourself and you bring your gift to the body." [00:16:22] (18 seconds)
"Romans chapter 12, verse 14, he says this, look, bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them. Pray that God will bless them. Now look, I love, I love the Apostle Paul and his teaching and his writing, but he didn't come up with that statement. He's, he's re-quoting Jesus from Matthew chapter 5, verse 44, where Jesus says, love your enemies and pray for them." [00:22:12] (21 seconds)
"Never pay back evil with more evil. Why? Well, that's easy to understand because when you pay back evil with more evil, then all you do is escalate something. No, what we should do is do what Jesus said. What did Jesus say about when your enemies, you know, offend you? What did he say to do? Turn the other cheek." [00:23:24] (18 seconds)
"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God. And those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. I think first and foremost, what you have to do, and you should underline that, placed there by God. Because you have to answer this one critical question this morning. As a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ, do you believe that or not?" [00:26:36] (29 seconds)
"Your life and my life is supposed to be a shining beacon of light. The love of Jesus Christ showing the world what it means to have the right attitude and honor towards God. The right attitude and honor towards other believers. The right attitude and honor towards our enemies. Oh, and by the way, the right attitude and honor towards those in government authority over us." [00:32:51] (22 seconds)
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