Romans 12-13

It took me about 6 minutes to read this passage.  Paul hits on four ways the deal with how to live;

Live as a part of the body of Christ – 12:1-8

Live sacrificially before God – 12:9 -21

Live responsibly under civic rulers – 13:1-7

Live with a focus on the Kingdom – 13:8-14

Each of these areas of life are a full study by themselves, but I think I can summarize them with one word; accountability.  Though we have been set free from the chains of sin and are no longer under the control of the law, we are accountable to God as citizens of his Kingdom.  Our desire, because of his grace to us, should be to function in the body as he created us to function.  To give up our selfish desires just like Jesus did, and use our circumstances to obey God.  To show the world that citizens of God’s Kingdom are not constrained by the laws of the land, but free to exercise the benevolence that God has put in our hearts toward all people.  Our goals, and hopes should have the advancement of God’s Kingdom at their center.  Paul’s words in this passage to the Romans still speak volumes of encouragement to 21^st century Christians.

Stuart