Paul's Practical Advice

I enjoyed reading Romans 12. He gives us practical advice for living the Christian life. In verse 1, he tells us to present our bodies a living sacrifice. He doesn't say we need to give our lives. Most Christians do not need to give their lives for their faith. However, he does say that we should be a living sacrifice. Our entire lives need to be a sacrifice to God. He goes on through the rest of the chapter and instructs us how to do that. First, we should not be conformed to this world. In other words, the Christian needs to be different. We must show that we are a Christian by our words and actions. The meaning of the word Christian is "little Christ." People should be able to tell that we are like Christ. Next, he tells us that we should not be proud. Instead, we should think soberly and exercise the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to us. Just as each part of our body works together and fills its place well, so the members of the church should work together. No one should covet a different position or feel proud or inferior because of the position they fill. He also tells us to display true love to each other. One way to do that is to prefer others before ourselves. This runs counter to human nature and can be very difficult, but it is the Christian way. The next several verses tell us that we should be industrious, hopeful, patient, prayerful, and hospitable. Paul even tells us to bless those that curse us. No one but a true Christian has the power to do something like that. We as Christians should live peaceably with everyone as much as possible. We should not seek revenge. Instead we should help even our enemies when we have opportunity. In that way we can avoid being overcome with evil and instead overcome evil with good