THE TRANSFORMED LIFE

(Romans 12:1-13:7)
I. Introductory Thoughts Concerning the Book of Romans
A. Because of ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US, we must CHANGE OUR LIVES!
1. Man is a SINNER!

(Romans 1-3)

2. CHRIST is the only one who can solve the PROBLEM OF SIN (Romans 3:21-5:21)
3. When a person is BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST and RAISED TO WALK A NEW LIFE,
HE MUST LIVE A HOLY LIFE (Romans 6:1-8:17)
4. There are WONDERFUL REASONS FOR DOING THIS!
5. GOD IS RIGHT IN WHAT HE HAS DONE!

(Romans 8:18-39)

(Romans 9-11)

B. Because of ALL OF THIS, "Therefore" present your body as a "LIVING SACRIFICE"

(Romans 12:1)
C. The remaining portion of the book of ROMANS is CONCERNED WITH HOW TO LIVE
THE LIFE GIVEN TO GOD (Romans 12-16)
D. WHEN THE STUDENT COMPLETES THIS LESSON, HE SHOULD BE
UNDERSTANDING:
1. The CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE GOD!
2. The CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH!
3. A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE CHURCH IS
4. The CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WORLD, and
5. The CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT!
II. The TRANSFORMED LIFE in relation to GOD

(Romans 12:1, 2)

A. The word "therefore" suggests a conclusion from all that has been said by Paul. On
the basis of WHAT GOD HAS DONE THROUGH THE GOSPEL, the Christian
WILL BE CHANGED!
B. Paul is saying that SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST IS THE REASON TO
LIVE THE RIGHT KIND OF LIFE.

C. Because of God's MERCIES, the Christian will present his body as a "LIVING
SACRIFICE" (Romans 12:1)

1. The word "PRESENT" or "OFFER" suggests a "WILLING" or "VOLUNTARY'

GIVING OF OURSELVES TO GOD. We must "CHOOSE" or "WILL" to give
ourselves to Christ. (See Matthew 11:28-30; or Joshua 24:15 concerning this
principle).
2. The words "YOUR BODIES" or "YOURSELVES" suggest a "COMPLETE' or
"TOTAL" giving of ourselves to the Lord. We must DENY SELF (Matthew
16:24; Luke 14:25-33). The Lord commands that we LOVE HIM WITH ALL
OF OUR HEART, SOUL, AND MIND (Matthew 22:37-40).

THE

3. The word "LIVING" suggests that this GIFT OF OURSELVES is a "CONTINUAL,"

EVERY DAY, ON-GOING GIFT OF OURSELVES. JESUS BECOMES
LORD OF OUR THINKING, OUR SPEECH, OUR LIVES! (II Corinthians
4:5; Luke 6:46; Romans 10:9, 10; 14:8, 9; I Peter 3:15).
4. The word "SACRIFICE" is "PRIESTLY" in meaning. The Christian is a PRIEST
who offers SACRIFICES to God (I Peter 2:5-9). He OFFERS SACRIFICES
OF:
a. His PRAISE to God

(Hebrews 13:15)

b. His GOOD WORKS

SACRIFICES!

(Hebrews 13:16). God is PLEASED WITH THESE

5. The expression "REASONABLE SERVICE" or "SPIRITUAL WORSHIP" suggests

that in our EVERYDAY LIFE, by our conscious outpouring of "service" to God,
we HONOR AND WORSHIP HIM. Here, the word "worship" or "service" is
discussing our LIFE OF DEVOTION to God. This word is also used in what we
usually consider a "worship setting." Please see Luke 2:37 where Anna's "worship"
of prayer and fasting is the same word used here in Romans 12:1 to refer to our daily
"service" to God. Service is worship!
The word "reasonable" or "spiritual" means "rational," or appealing to the
reason of a person. Therefore, the Christian offers worship (service) from his
inner being. See also I Peter 2:2 where the word "spiritual" is the same word.
D. The Christian is a "NEW PERSON!"
1. Everything has become "NEW"

(Romans 12:2)
(II Corinthians 5:17)

2. He has been "TRANSFORMED." A "metamorphosis" from one person to another

has taken place, a GREAT CHANGE! He has TURNED FROM SATAN TO GOD!
(Acts 26:16-18).
3. His mind has been "RENEWED." See also Titus 3:5 for the phrase "renewal by
the Holy Spirit" when one is baptized into Christ.
4. He desires to test and approve God's WILL, that WILL that is good, and pleasing,
and complete.
5. Therefore, he is no longer fitting into the pattern of this "age" with all of its
traditions, its customs, and normal ways of acting. He WILL NOT BE FORCED

INTO THE "MOLD" OF LIFE AROUND HIM. He lives for GOD!

III. The TRANSFORMED LIFE in relation to SELF (Romans 12:3)

A. On the basis of the GRACE GOD GAVE TO PAUL, and the commission Paul received,
the apostle urged Christians NOT TO EXALT THEMSELVES. See also I Peter 5:5, 6;
Romans 11:20; 12:16. The Christian is not to be PROUD or HAUGHTY. The only
basis for pride is found in what the Father has done through Christ (II Corinthians
10:17).
B. He is to think SENSIBLY WITH PROPER JUDGMENT. He will exercise sober
self-control. In addition, he will NOT consider others to be inferior or below himself.
IV. The TRANSFORMED LIFE in relation to the CHURCH

(Romans 12:4-13)

A. There is "ONE BODY" but there are "MANY MEMBERS"

(Romans 12:4, 5)

1. The CHURCH is compared to a PHYSICAL BODY with many members. See

this also in I Corinthians 12:12-27.
2. THREE important CHARACTERISTICS OF A BODY:
a. A BODY GROWS AND DEVELOPS (Ephesians 4:11-16)
b. EACH MEMBER DEPENDS ON EVERY OTHER MEMBER
(I Corinthians 12:14-23)
c. EACH MEMBER HAS A DIFFERENT WORK TO DO
B. Among the members of the body, there are DIFFERENT GIFTS
THERE ARE MANY WORKS TO DO!

(Romans 12:4-8)

(Romans 12:6-8).

1. Prophesying: This was one of the MIRACULOUS GIFTS given to REVEAL

TRUTH (I Corinthians 12:10). Note that a "PROPHET" would be given a
REVELATION FROM GOD (I Corinthians 14:29-33). A prophet was one
WHO WAS THE SPOKESMAN FOR ANOTHER (See this meaning
in Exodus 4:16 and 7:1, for Aaron was the "prophet" or "spokesman" of
Moses)
2. Ministering: This is SERVING others.

See I Peter 4:9-11.

3. Teaching: There is a GREAT NEED FOR TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH (II Timothy
2:2)
4. Exhortation: This is ENCOURAGEMENT. The CHURCH AS A BODY IS TO BE
TOGETHER CONSTANTLY SO THAT THE MEMBERS MAY ENCOURAGE
ONE ANOTHER (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
5. Giving: This is CONTRIBUTING. It is "MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO
RECEIVE" (Acts 20:35). The word means to "SHARE." Note how the early
Christians shared with those who had need (Acts 2:42-46; 4:32-37).

6. Ruling: This is LEADERSHIP. Within local congregations, ELDERS ARE

OVERSEERS (Acts 14:23; I Timothy 5:17; I Peter 5:1-5; Acts 20:17-28)
7. Showing Mercy: This is CONCERN FOR OTHERS. All Christians are to be a "GOOD
SAMARITAN" (Luke 10:25-37). Here, DEACONS MAY BE INCLUDED. See
Acts 6:1-6 for special servants who showed mercy.
C. WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
1. The CHURCH is the BODY that is so very PRECIOUS!
a. Jesus BUILT IT! It is PRECIOUS! (Matthew 16:13-18)
b. Jesus DIED FOR THE CHURCH! It is PRECIOUS! (Acts 20:28;
Ephesians 5:25)
c. Jesus LOVES THE CHURCH! It is PRECIOUS!

(Ephesians 5:25)

d. Jesus is the SAVIOR OF THE CHURCH, HIS BODY!

(Ephesians 5:23)

It is PRECIOUS!

2. The CHURCH IN THE BIBLE IS NOT:

a. The CHURCH IS NOT a PHYSICAL BUILDING made from hollow
blocks and wood. Note that "FEAR" came upon the WHOLE
CHURCH (Acts 5:11)
b. The CHURCH IS NOT A SECT, NOT A DENOMINATION
(1) A "SECT" or "PARTY" or "HERESY" is a work of the flesh (Galatians
5:20)
(2) A "SECT" is a body of men "separating themselves from others
and following their own tenets (a sect or party)"
(Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
(3) The CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TO BE ONE
UNITED GROUP OF PEOPLE (I Corinthians 1:10-17;
John 17:20, 21; Ephesians 4:1-6).
3. The CHURCH IS THE RESULT OF THE GOSPEL PREACHED
a. The apostles preached JESUS CHRIST AS LORD!

(Acts 2:22-36)

b. People accepted this MESSAGE, and OBEYED THE LORD

(Acts 2:37-41)
c. These SAVED PEOPLE WHO OBEYED THE LORD WERE THE
CHURCH (Acts 5:11; See what the Lord did in Acts 2:41, 47)

4. The CHURCH IN THE BIBLE IS A CERTAIN, SPECIFIC GROUP OF

PEOPLE!
a. The CHURCH is PEOPLE! See Acts 11:22. The CHURCH is a group
of people who are a "SPIRITUAL HOUSE," a "HOLY
PRIESTHOOD" (I Peter 2:5, 9)
b. The CHURCH is SAVED PEOPLE who have been IMMERSED INTO
CHRIST. The CHURCH IS FORGIVEN PEOPLE! (Acts 2:22-47)
c. The CHURCH is SANCTIFIED PEOPLE, those who have been
dedicated and "set apart" for the service of the Master
(I Corinthians 1:2; See also I Corinthians 6:11)
d. The CHURCH is that group of PEOPLE WHO ARE "IN CHRIST"
(I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1)
e. The CHURCH is that group of PEOPLE WHO ARE "ENROLLED IN
HEAVEN" (Hebrews 12:22, 23)
5. See the CHURCH in the book of EPHESIANS
a. It is the "COMPLETENESS" of CHRIST (Ephesians 1:22, 23)
b. It is His BODY, over which the Lord is HEAD

(Ephesians 1:22, 23)

c. It is those who are "FELLOW CITIZENS" with God's people under

the "RULE OF CHRIST" (Ephesians 2:19). Jesus is KING over
them, and they have been "TRANSLATED" into the "KINGDOM"
of God's Son (Colossians 1:13-18)
d. It is God's HOUSEHOLD, God's FAMILY (Ephesians 2:19)
e. It is God's DWELLING PLACE, GOD'S TEMPLE (Ephesians 2:20-22)
f. It is the CLIMAX of the revealing of God's MYSTERY IN CHRIST
(Ephesians 3:1-11)
g. It is the Lord's BRIDE (Ephesians 5:21-33)
6. ENTRANCE INTO THE CHURCH
a. Is through the "NEW BIRTH" (Romans 6:1-4; See Jesus' teaching of
Nicodemus in John 3:1-5).
b. Is through OBEYING THE GOSPEL (II Thessalonians 1:7-9)
c. Involves the LORD! It is the Lord who saves! (See Luke 19:10;
Acts 2:41-47; Colossians 1:12-18)
D. LIFE IN THE CHURCH involves a TENDER LOVE for the FAMILY OF THE LORD
(Romans 12:9-13)

1. The Christian's LOVE will be SINCERE!

II Corinthians 6:6 and I Peter 1:22.

(Romans 12:9). See also

2. He HATES THE EVIL, AND IS DEVOTED TO THE GOOD. See also

I Thessalonians 5:22.
3. In "BROTHERLY LOVE, THEY SHOW FAMILY AFFECTION TO ONE
ANOTHER." See beautiful brotherly love in Hebrews 13:1;
I Thessalonians 4:9 and II Peter 1:7.
4. Christians "outdo one another in showing honor." Note also Paul's statement
in Philippians 2:3. (Romans 12:10)
5. Their Christian LIFE IS FERVENT and ZEALOUS FOR GOOD WORKS
(Romans 12:11). See also Titus 2:11-14. They are "BOILING FOR
THE LORD."
6. "SERVING THE LORD" means that they are "SLAVES" OF THE LORD!
7. They are HAPPY BECAUSE OF THEIR HOPE, THEY ARE ALWAYS
PATIENT AND ENDURING DURING SUFFERING, and THEY DEVOTE
THEMSELVES TO PRAYER! (Romans 12:12). Please see I Peter 2:20 concerning
suffering and I Thessalonians 5:17 concerning constant prayer.
8. Christians will SHARE WHAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR BROTHERS AND
SISTERS AND THEY SHOW HOSPITALITY (Romans 12:13). Also, see
"sharing" (fellowship) also used for helping those in need in Romans 15:26, 27.
The apostle Paul used this term (koinonia) to refer to the financial help sent
to him by the church at Philippi (Philippians 4:15).
V. The TRANSFORMED LIFE in relation to the CHURCH AND OTHERS

(Romans 12:14-21)

A. The Christian will "SPEAK WELL OF" those who persecute and ask for grace and
peace upon them, not evil (Romans 12:14). See also I Peter 3:13-17 and 4:12-19.
B. He feels a CLOSENESS WITH OTHERS. He is HAPPY when they have reason to
be HAPPY and feels COMPASSION and SYMPATHY for those who are
SORROWING (Romans 12:15). Please see a similar thought in I Corinthians 12:26.
C. Christians should have a "common attitude and purpose" (Romans 12:16). The
phrase literally means to "THINK THE SAME THING." They are to be "of one
mind" as the apostle noted in Philippians 2:2 and II Corinthians 13:11.
D. In this NEW, TRANSFORMED LIFE, the Christian will "not cherish proud thoughts,"
he will "associate with the lowly," and will "not keep thinking how wise" he is
(Romans 12:16). He is HUMBLE (I Peter 5:5,6).
E. He will "repay no one evil for evil," but rather will do GOOD TO THOSE WHO DO
EVIL TO HIM (Matthew 5:38-48), and he will "take into consideration what is
noble in the sight of everyone" (Romans 12:17)
F. As much AS IT IS WITHIN HIS POWER, he should live in PEACE WITH

EVERYONE! (Romans 12:18-21)

1. He is not to take revenge! Let the Lord take care of that, for He will judge
(Romans 12:19). See this also in Leviticus 19:18.
2. "IT WAS WRITTEN, and IT STILL IS WRITTEN" that the Lord will REPAY
(Deuteronomy 32:35).
3. The Christian will "give food and drink" to his ENEMY, and in so doing will
perhaps "produce a burning shame leading to repentance" (Romans 12:20)
4. In this dedicated persistence, he will "overcome the bad with the good"
(Romans 12:21). To "overcome" means to "GAIN THE VICTORY!"
VI. The TRANSFORMED LIFE in relation to GOVERNMENT (Romans 13:1-7)
A. Christians will "place themselves under" or be in "SUBJECTION," be
"SUBORDINATE" to "official power or authority" (Romans 13:1). The same
word "subject" is used for the "subjection" of wives to husbands (Ephesians
5:22), servants to masters (Titus 2:9), or children to parents (Luke 2:51).
B. These "authorities" are ordained by God. See God's working in the kingdoms of
men and raising up as well as bringing down rulers (Daniel 4:17, 25).
C. "Those who resist (these authorities) shall receive judgment on themselves"
(Romans 13:2).
D. RULERS have TWO GREAT WORKS:

(Romans 13:3)

1. To COMMEND those who do RIGHT, and

2. To PUNISH those who do WRONG (I Peter 2:13-17)
E. The GOVERNMENT IS GOD'S SERVANT (diakonos) to accomplish these tasks
given by God (Romans 13:4, 6). Note that this word is used for civil "servants"
in Esther 1:10 and 2:2.
F. Please note that "he does not bear the sword to no purpose" (Romans 13:4). He
has the power of LIFE AND DEATH!
G. The TRANSFORMED CHRISTIAN will OBEY GOVERNMENT FOR TWO

REASONS:

1. To escape PUNISHMENT, and

2. Disobedience will "PROVOKE A PANG OF CONSCIENCE" (Romans 13:5).
When we obey the law of the land, GUILTY DREAD of government is overcome.
H. The Christian will PAY TAXES AND OTHER REVENUE that he owes the
government (Romans 13:6,7). He will "pay back" what is due (See Matthew
22:15-22)
I. Finally, the Christian will pay "HONOR" to those in civil responsibility (Romans 13:7).

J. Certainly, when CIVIL AUTHORITIES speak against GOD'S LAW, GOD MUST
COME FIRST! (Acts 4:19,20; 5:28, 29)
CONCLUSION
This BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT or PHOTOGRAPH of what a "Christian looks like" in Romans
12 and 13 provides characteristics that are the "natural result" of the GRACE AND MERCY
OF GOD!
The student is encouraged to look at the following:
1. The GREAT SINFULNESS of man WITHOUT CHRIST

(Romans 1-3)

2. God's PLAN THROUGH CHRIST to provide FORGIVENESS (Romans 3:21-5:21)

3. When the person is BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, AND RAISED TO WALK THE
"NEW LIFE" (Romans 6:1-4), he will become a "SERVANT OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS" and will "WALK AFTER THE SPIRIT" (Romans 6:5-8:17).
4. Because GOD IS RIGHT (Romans 9-11), and BECAUSE OF GOD'S GREAT
MERCIES, THE CHRISTIAN WILL PRESENT HIMSELF TO GOD AS A
"LIVING SACRIFICE," and LIVE THE "TRANSFORMED LIFE" (Romans 12:1, 2)