Romans 12
By Becky Hunter, March 8, 2008
The translators of God’s Word who edited “The Message” version couldn’t possibly have been specifically addressing the pastor’s wife when they restated, in everyday language, these verses found in Romans 12, could they?
The only accurate way to understand [yourself] is by what God is and by what He does for [you], not by what [you] are and what [you] do for Him. … go ahead and be what [you] were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing [yourself] with [another], or trying to be something [you] aren’t.
If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be a good friend who loves deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep [yourself] fueled and aflame. Be an alert servant of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Amen.
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