Romans 12:1-21
Therefore,
I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's
will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the
grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly
than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance
with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body
with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in
Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the
others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's
gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging,
let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give
generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is
showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must
be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another
in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in
zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in
need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those
who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud,
but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not
repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for
it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed
him;
if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing
this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(NIV)
This reading is taken from 30 Scripture Readings on Character
& Integrity. The complete book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KYN53A
HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights
reserved.
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