In case you missed it, last week the Family of Christians Worldwide declared Chapter 12 Reorientation under the authority of God Almighty who made Heaven and earth.
The Details
Hundreds of millions of Christians looked around the world, read the news headlines and decided that the Twelfth Chapter of the book of Paul’s Letter to the Roman’s would be a better way to live in a world of turmoil and strife. It is the same chapter that has been used for two millennia to encourage believers worldwide.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Implications for Authors
Dark clouds are at every turn, but Jesus Christ has paid our debts through his death and resurrection. It is as if your debt never happened.
And we know for Christians, at the end of this world, whenever that is, there will be rejoicing and a complete lack of tears.
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(Romans 12 is from the New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers)
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You have it right, Dan. And I’m pretty sure heaven does as well.
Thanks for the words of true encouragement.
Excellent reminder to all of us in very frightening times. Clever wtriting that ties in with the previous blog posts.
Amen!
Thank you for these truthful, courageous words!
Great stuff.
And heaven declares chapter 13…1 Corinthians.
Dan, I love this.
Love that chapter. It’s so meaty, inspiring and full of hope in this dark days.
Last week at church the choir sang a song that our music director wrote. It was upbeat, lively, and listed all the awesome characteristics of our God. I was immersed into the passion and energy of the performance, but for some reason I stopped clapping and looked around the sanctuary. People were nodding, lifting hands, smiling, pointing to the sky, singing along with the words on the screen. My heart was soaring as I noticed everyone shared a common expression. Joy and gladness shone on the people’s faces as we all listened and then worshiped together. It was one of those moments where I put a hand to my heart and thought wow, this is what Heaven will be like. A massive chorus of much deserved praise to our Creator and Savior.
Yes, dark clouds are everywhere, but oh how the Light burns brighter!
Dan, thank you for this beautiful reminder.
We are authors. But we are first Christians. The word speaks and we need to hear with ears that hear. Amen, Dan.
That’s a WAY better chapter than “chapter 11”.
Something for everyone there. (Bless those who curse you, eh? Ok fine… I’ll stop grumbling about entitlement issues and consignment inventory and start praying.)
Thanks for sharing the wonderful passage written Paul. God’s word is awesome, the greatest story ever told. Thanks for the encouraging words! God bless you!
Amen!
Good thing Dan didn’t reference “Heaven Declares Chapter 11”
Genesis 11 – Tower of Babel
Exodus 11 – A Final Plague Threatened
Numbers 11 – The People Complain
Job 11 – You Deserve Worse
Jeremiah 11 – The Broken Covenant
Steve
Yes, Steve 11 is the number of confusion and disorder. 12 is the number of Governmental perfection.
Dan,
It is great to read an article with content such as yours. I have a degree in Christian Apologetics My heart is tuned to helping the lost, because lost accurately describes me before salvation. I had one oar in the sea of life and was going in circles.
So beautiful and encouraging. I think its so amazing how God’s encouragement to one of the beginning churches means just as much to us so many years later. We serve a wonderful savior.