Somebody Loves You

Raul Ries: And the way to keep your mind pure is get into the word of God. Read the word of God. Study God's word. Don't watch things that are going to damage your mind. And that's what makes you become lustful and makes you sin against God and it makes you fall into sin. We're supposed to have a new mind in Christ Jesus, not the same mind.

Guest (Male): I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you. Welcome to Somebody Loves You Radio, the Bible teaching ministry of Raul Ries in Diamond Bar, California.

Today's lesson continues our series celebrating the wonderful freedom found in Christ, and we're glad to have you with us. As Raul explores what it takes to fully enjoy spiritual liberty, you'll see that the first step is dying to yourself. Stay with us for encouragement to choose a humble life of service, walking closely with God in obedience to his word as you bless others with demonstrations of his love. Today's lesson is Living the Christian Life. Join us in Romans chapter 12.

Raul Ries: Let me give you a little information. For example, in chapter 1 through 8 of Romans, we have the plan of what? Salvation, which is doctrine, the plan of salvation. And then the hope of Israel, dispensationalism, is what? Chapter 9 through 11. And then you have the beginning with the foundation of the Christian living, which we're now having in chapter 12 through 16. And then how about the appeals as brothers and sisters in the Lord to fully, completely be dedicated to the Lord? Fully, completely being dedicated to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Now, after God has done everything in my life, because he loves me and I love him, I have to realize number one, he forgave us for our sins. Secondly, he gave us his mercies every day. Thirdly, he redeemed us from sin, sin that was destroying my life, sin that was sending me to hell. And then fourthly, victory over my enemy Satan. So now let's go back in chapter 12, verses 1 to 2. We'll try to move a little bit quick through here.

But now we have Paul the Apostle, a relationship to God in verses 1 to 2. I beseech you or I beg you, notice I beg you earnestly in the Greek here, that you therefore, and therefore takes you back all the way to chapter one, the previous chapters. I beseech you therefore brethren, talking to Christians, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies, not body, bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service to God.

Now we see here the word mercies here is speaking of what? That everlasting love, that everlasting forgiveness God has brought in my life. Constantly, as I come before him, the everlasting love that he has for me. And then you see here the word present here, it means literally to refer to what? To dedication of my body given to God. I gave my body to God. Well, if you gave your body to God, then why as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, you're having a physical relationship where you're supposed to be a Christian? Or a husband or wife going with somebody else and committing adultery with your body?

Well here he's saying, "Brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present." You present voluntarily. I present my body to who? To Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. But you see the word sacrifice here takes me back into the Old Testament speaking of the killing of the animal and presented as a burnt offering to God. And a burnt offering in the Old Testament was a sacrifice of consecration of my life to God. Consecration of my life to God, and you can read that in Leviticus chapter 1, 3 to 7.

And then you have where he says the bodies here, my body belongs to God. Now my body has become the temple of God. Remember 1 Corinthians 6:17-20? He says, "I therefore beseech you, brethren, by the mercy of God." But then he goes on and he says, "Don't you know that you are the temple of the living God? The temple of the living God." We, our bodies, is where Christ dwells in my life and the Holy Spirit is in my life. So when I sin, what happens? The Holy Spirit becomes grieved. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is a person, and the word grieved in the Greek means because he's a person, you're bringing pain to the Holy Spirit with your sin. Pain to the Holy Spirit.

When he speaks here about a living sacrifice also, this is when you not only give yourself to God in the spiritual worship unto him, but he says, "Holy, separated." Notice that holy, acceptable. Are you acceptable before God because of your sacrifice of your life? And it says, "Holy, acceptable to God," and here it is, "which is your reasonable service to God." Isn't that cool? My dedication of my life, the transformed life that I have in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God transforms my life by renewing my mind. I think differently. I used to think really weird and bad and ugly and perverted. But when I came to Christ, he gave us a new mind.

And the way to keep your mind pure is get into the word of God. Read the word of God. Study God's word. Don't watch things that are going to damage your mind in your computer or movies, whatever it is. You start watching those dirty things on the screen, what happens? Your mind is so powerful that when you leave that place or you go to bed that night, guess what? Those scenes are coming into your mind. And that's what makes you become lustful and makes you sin against God and it makes you fall into sin. We're supposed to have a new mind in Christ Jesus, not the same mind.

And then he says in verse 2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God." Notice what he says here. This is the place, people, that are living today. This is the place we should be living today, transformed. We should not be conformed to this world. We should not be conformed to our own personal lives. We should be emptying ourselves from the world, but filling ourselves with God's Holy Spirit. All the things that are new in Christ Jesus.

And he says also what? To be transformed. And here the word again that is used here from conform means to conform, it looks outward, a mold. Transform and transfigure or inward man. Our inward man has to be new, and that can only come through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He says transformed by the renewing of our minds that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God in your life. I love that because the word here, the will of God, it means that we may have a life, a life that is dedicated, a life that is surrendered to God, which is no longer who I live, but is he that lives in my life and is working through my life every single day of my life.

And then, second part, verses 3 to 16, the relationship to other people. Now this is a good one. It's going to speak about your relationship with me, me with you, and you with others, including family. He says, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, Paul, to every one that is among you, not to think himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly here." The word is used six times here in the New Testament. The verb in the Greek is found 30 times. Sound mind, in a real mind in the Greek that he says here. It comes with prayer and watching. It's an attitude, check this out, of humility. Soberly, to be humble.

As God dealt to each one of us the measure of faith. That word to deal there, the word is to divide or to distribute to each one of us the measure of faith. How much faith has God given to you? I mean, are you bold on your faith or are you kind of shy on your faith? Now we have to remember that God used us to accomplish what? His work. He's using you, he's using me to accomplish his work. Secondly, God uses us to blow the world away of what he's done in each one of our lives. Only God can do that. Verse 4, "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function," so he wants us to understand that every one of us are different.

So God has given me the gift, okay, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, prophecy. He might give you other gifts that maybe I don't have. There's a gift of giving where people love giving. They don't murmur and complain, no matter what their checkbook may be, they're always giving hilariously to the Lord. And then there's others with great compassion for people. But he wants to make sure that we understand for as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function.

Verse 5, "So we being many," okay, so we're many, "are one body in Christ and individually members of one another." Yes, we're brothers and sisters of one another. Verse 6, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us." So if there are gifts and they're different, let's look at them, see what he says. Let us use them. If prophecy, let us prophesy in portion according to faith. Now prophecy here is speaking forth God's word, 1 Corinthians 14, verse 3 and 4. But a prophet was God's mouthpiece, remember in the Old Testament?

The prophet was God's mouthpiece who received direct revelation from God and then spoke to the people, to the people what God had said. And then he says, notice, he says, "or ministry." This refers to working in practical ways as to assist other believers in serving them. And then he says let us use it in our ministering, serving you see, our ministering. "He who teaches in teaching," and that is to instruct the truth of the scriptures, like Titus chapter 2, 12 through 15, systematic inspiration here, he's talking scriptural inspiration of the scriptures, knowledge, biblical truth.

Guest (Male): This is Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. For resources to direct your steps in God's ways, visit us anytime at somebodylovesyou.com. And join Raul for Straight Talk Tuesdays at 10:00 AM Pacific on the Somebody Loves You worldwide YouTube channel. Now back to more of today's study.

Raul Ries: Verse 8, "He who exhorts," he who exhorts, that is he who encourages. Exhortation, encouraging, to entreat, 2 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 3 and 4. But he who exhorts in exhortation. "He," here it is, "he who gives," tithing to God, giving liberally to God, without murmuring, without complaining, 2 Corinthians chapter 9, 6 through 9, Acts 20, verse 35 and on and on and on. And it's so sad that the majority of the church, maybe 80% of the church don't give anything to God. They keep it all to themselves.

But it's so cool that whatever I don't have, whatever I have, I give to God in obedience to the word of God. I give sacrificially because God loves what? A cheerful hilarious giver. Sacrificially means I give that which I do not have, but by faith in obedience to God's word, I give to God. And you know what God does? He honors it. He honors it that you're doing that, giving to God because you love him. And then he says, "with diligence." He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. So showing mercy again, notice that, being merciful if you want God to be merciful to you.

Verse 9, "Let love be without hypocrisy." I mean, how many people say they love you but are a bunch of hypocrites? I mean, real love doesn't have hypocrisy. Real love is always giving, never taking anything in return. So here Paul is bringing out these things that every one of us individually should have as Christians, practical Christian living. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor, hate that which is evil. Then why is it that we love so much evil? Evil should be hated by every child of God.

And then he says cling to that which is good. The word here is to hold fast, hold fast to that which is good. So we notice here little exhortations in our attitude as Christians that me and you should what? Should exercise in our lives. That we should not only have in our own personal lives, but that we should exhort others concerning attitude in the kingdom of God. Verse 10, "Be kindly and affectionate to one another." I mean that's a minus for me. I need a plus on that one.

And here the idea is expressing an attitude again of affection. In the Greek, between a mother and a child. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Don't be a respecter of persons. You love one son more than you love the other one, or a daughter or whoever. Don't be a respecter of persons, with everyone the same. Then it says verse 11, he says, "and not lagging." The word lagging here, not to be lazy. Not to be lazy, slothful, careless in zeal.

He says, "in diligence, fervent," that is to be excited. Excited about the things that you do for the Lord. Serving the Lord. Not complaining about serving, but loving it. Lord, I love what I do for you. Verse 12, "Rejoicing," because what? We have joy in my life. Hope, because I hope in the coming of Jesus Christ. I'm hoping that God's going to bless me and I know that he's the one that blesses people. My hope not only is in Jesus, my hope is also in watching my children develop and grow, my grandchildren, becoming what God wants them to be.

And then how about this one, so tough for me too? Patient. Enduring trials in life. Who? I think we can all relate to that. Enduring trials in life. And then how about continuing steadfastly? To stand one's ground, to hold out, to endure, not to be moved. I mean, what does Satan want to do? He wants to move you from the place Christ has put you in. We need to be careful of that. Standing one's ground, not retreating. And that's so cool how here he talks about holding, standing your ground and not retreating.

And then he says what? "In prayer." Isn't that cool? We should be on our knees. That should be our first priority: prayer. Communion with God in our lives. And then in verse 13, he says, "distributing to the needs of the saints." Now look what he says here. Notice helping people, or anyone that is in need, even missionaries. If they're real missionaries, you want to support them. I told you before I've gone to the mission field too many times and I've been in countries where the missionaries live in beautiful places up on the hill and every morning they come down to work with the people and say they're missionaries.

A real missionary would be like my mother-in-law. Imagine how much more each one of us individually coming to that place in our lives that we not only know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, but we're praying and putting our priorities in order. And then he says 13 again, "distributing to the needs of the saints." Who's that? The church, that's you and me. "With hospitality." Notice, and given to hospitality. When is the last time you invited somebody over your house? Hospitality. Being hospitable to people, to those that are strangers in your life.

And then finally look what he says, it's so cool. He says, "Bless," mark that, "bless those who persecute you." I don't know about that. Notice what he says here. Bless those that persecute you, that is those that are trying to come against you, they're trying to demean you. He says, "Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice." I mean, how many times somebody rejoices and you go, "How come you're so happy?" Because you're not happy. I mean, if they're rejoicing, rejoice with them. Notice it says they rejoice and then weep with those that weep.

Man, I've been in so many situations like this. I mean, it's incredible when I can rejoice, but when you have to weep it is so hard. So hard to see people broken. Just lost their husband, their wife, their little baby. Weep with those that weep, rejoice with those that rejoice. And then he says, "Be of the same mind toward one another." Hey you guys, let's be of the same mind. As the body of Christ let us be of the same mind toward one another so that we can be on the same page.

He says, "Do not set your mind on high things." Pride, notice that. Don't think that you're better than everybody else. "Well, I don't have lunch or breakfast with that person." In South America you see this all the time. When you go to Chile, you go to Argentina, wherever, you see people, different classes. You have the poor class, you have the middle class, and the upper class. The upper class never goes out with the poor class. And they have a problem also with the middle class.

But it's so sad that we're respecter of persons, for to me it doesn't matter who you are. Who cares? I don't care if you're a movie star or a professional baseballer or whatever, you're the same to me. Because a lot of times we idolize people and we gotta be careful with that. Idolizing people, but treating everyone the same, the same as God speaks here. But taking and becoming humble before God. And say, "Lord, forgive me for thinking that I was better than that person. Forgive me, Lord, for coming to that place of pride," because the sin of Satan was pride.

Remember, he used to be our father, no longer. But because he sinned against God and he said five "I wills," "I will, I will, I will, I will," God said, "You won't," and he got kicked out. And what did he do? He came and he's trying to pass on that pride to every one of us in this world. To every one of us. And here he says, "Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with," who? "With humble people." People that don't say, "I'm humble," don't do that. That's pride.

You know people are humble. Not talking about themselves, not promoting themselves. They'll do anything for anybody. You can blast on them, you can curse them, you can do whatever because they're humble. They really don't care. They forgive you. I mean, think about it, humble people. And then lastly he says, "Do not be wise in your own opinions. Self-righteousness."

Guest (Male): We hope you've been inspired to love others well as you honor God with obedience to his word. You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. Today's study was titled Living the Christian Life. If you'd like an unedited version, we'll be happy to send one to you for a donation of $5 or more. Just call us at 800-634-9165.

And to help support you in self-sacrificial service, we'd like to tell you about Raul's four-part liberty study. It's available on CD and USB. Featuring today's lesson as well as three others, this resource will settle your heart in the assurance of God's mighty saving love. It also underscores the crucial role you can play in guiding others to the Lord's salvation. To order Raul's four-message series focused on the blessings and responsibilities that come with spiritual liberty, visit somebodylovesyou.com or call 800-634-9165.

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Raul Ries: In this last part of Romans in chapter 12 here, verse 17 to 21, he now speaks about relationship to our enemies. Do you have enemies? Listen carefully. Verse 17, "Repay no one evil for evil." Notice have regard for good things in the sight of all men. So here again to get even with people, to hurt them, we don't want to do that. Verse 18, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." But it takes what? Dying of myself. Dying of myself to be able to do that.

And then look what he says, verse 21, "Do not be overcome by evil." Underline that. Do not be overcome by evil. Here's the answer, "but overcome evil with good." We must stay in God's word and prayer, you guys, all the time in order to not only believe the scriptures, but that the scriptures can be fulfilled in my own life. I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you. I am falling in love with you.

Guest (Male): This program is sponsored by Somebody Loves You Radio in Diamond Bar, California.