Paul was a fascinating apostle and inspired writer. Many people believe his letter to the Roman Christians is a challenge to read and comprehend. However, I find the twelfth and thirteenth chapters quite enlightening. He spent the first eleven chapters laying ground for doctrinal truths. When he opened chapter twelve he began with practical applications of those truths. He delivered a series of “do not” commands followed by a bundle of “do” these things. I call them collectively Paul’s marching orders for Roman Christians, as well as for us today.

Here are the “do not’s”:

• Do not be conformed to this world. Society is trying to pour us each day into its mold. We must be ever watchful that we do not fall into this scheme.
• Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think. God cautions his people to run from pride and embrace humility. After all, that was the sin which brought Satan low (1 Timothy 3:6).
• Let love be without hypocrisy. We should never put on the pretense of loving an individual. Love should be sincere in every way.
• Abhor what is evil. Burton Coffman commented that the word rendered to ABHOR is particularly forcible, and expresses the highest degree of hatred, p. 396.
• Do not lag in diligence—that would constitute a lukewarm Christian, which certainly displeases the Lord (Revelation 3:16).
• Do not set your mind on high things, that is, things that the world highly values, such as power, wealth, fame, possessions, etc.
• Do not be wise in your own eyes. This reminds me of the three friends of Job who came to console him. They had it all figured out and proceeded to set Job straight. However, God’s anger was aroused against them because of what they spoke (Job 42:7).
• Do not repay evil for evil. Do not avenge yourselves. The words “getting even” and “retaliation” should not be in the Christian’s vocabulary!
• Do not be overcome with evil. James wrote about how each one is tempted when drawn away by their own desires and enticed. If one gives in to the desire, it will conceive and bring forth death (James 1:12-15).
• Do not curse those who persecute you. Jesus reminded his followers that when we are persecuted, we are in good company,  for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:12).
• Cast off works of darkness. Scripture often describes evil as darkness and righteousness as light. We should always strive to identify evil allurements and run from them.
• Let us not walk in revelry and drunkeness, or lewdness or lust, or strife and envy. Paul helps identify some of the dark areas of sin.
• Do not make provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (13:14). Make sure your plans do not include provisions for lustful actions.

It is vitally important to replace the evil, negative practices in our lives with good things that please the Lord.  When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first (Luke 11:24-26).  So Paul said to do these things:

• Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Remember, God does not command us to do something that is unattainable.
• Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Renewing our minds begins with immersing ourselves in His word.
• Think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. In other words, the gifts we have been given are not about us. They are about glorifying God.
• Do use the gifts/talents God has given you (Matthew 25:14-30).
• Cling to what is good. “Cling” here carries the same weight as “abhor.” It is strong and intense.
• Be kindly affectionate to one another, with brotherly love.  And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us (1 John 3:23).
• In honor, give preference to one another (Philippians 2:3).
• Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Fervent, boiling in spirit, as opposed to being lukewarm or dead.
• Rejoice in hope. Hope is confident expectation, which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast… (Hebrews 6:19-20).
• Be patient in tribulation. This kind of patience will serve to perfect and complete us (James 1:3-4).
• Continue steadfastly in prayer. …the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16b).
• Distribute to the needs of the saints. …visit orphans and widows in their trouble… (James 1:27b).
• Be given to hospitality. Great men and women of faith practiced hospitality—Abraham and Sarah, Lydia, the Philippian jailor, and more.
• Bless those who persecute you. Do good to those who treat you unkindly.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Both are expressions of love and compassion.
• Be of the same mind toward one another (Philippians 2:2).
• Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. This is how we influence others to know God and then seek Him.
• If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Pursue peace with all people… (Hebrews 12:14).
• Give place to wrath. A better translation for this verse is from the New American Standard Bible, Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 
• Overcome evil with good. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart (Luke 6:45).
• Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. The reason? Because God rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses (Daniel 4:32b).
• Pay your taxes (Matthew 22:21).
• Owe no man anything except to love one another (John 13:34-35).
• Put on the armor of light (Ephesians 6:11-17).
• Let us walk properly, as in the day (Ephesians 5:13-14).
• Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Wear Jesus daily as a glorious robe of obedience. By this, the world will come to know Him.

There we have them, the Lord’s marching orders, delivered by Paul, for Roman Christians and Christians of our day. March on!!!

Today’s Verse:  Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, that it would be paid back to him? For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

Audios available at http://christianwomanaudiodevotionals.abiblecommentary.com/index.html

by Teresa Hampton