Chapters 12–15
In chapters 3:21–8:39, we have had God's righteousness declared in the gospel, securing deliverance for the believer from the penalty of his sins, from the power of sin, and eventually, from the presence of sin. Then in chapters 9-11, we have seen God's righteousness displayed in His dispensational ways. Now in chapters 12-16, we learn that God would have His righteousness demonstrated practically in the lives of those whom He has saved.
Thus, chapter 12 begins a new division in the epistle wherein is found many practical exhortations based on the doctrine that has been expounded in chapters 1-11. Of necessity, doctrine precedes practise in Christianity. The structure of the epistles in the New Testament reflects this. Through doctrine we not only learn of our position of favour before God, but also of how we are to order our lives aright on earth in relation to our heavenly calling. J. N. Darby said that no Christian knows his proper place before God without doctrine, and no Christian will walk rightly without it. Stressing the importance of doctrine, C. H. Brown said, "We must believe right, before we can walk right."
Entering upon this devotional part of the epistle, we see that it is God's desire that the truth should be practically displayed in Christian living. However, it is not His intention that believers would be found living their Christian lives out of a sense of obligation and legal obedience, but from hearts taken up with affection for Christ. Hence, He would fill our hearts with appreciation for what He has done to save us, and then let His claims in redemption move us to proper Christian living. Anticipating this kind of response in these chapters, Paul portrays the believer as moving on entirely different lines with entirely new motives from what once controlled him in his unconverted days.
Devoted Service Toward God
Chapter 12:1-8
In the first eight verses of chapter 12, Paul traces a moral order of things that occurs in the lives of those whose hearts have been touched by the compassions of God and the love of Christ. These things are like a chain, building from one link to the next—running from the believer's appreciation for the mercy and grace of God to his consecration to the service of God.
Appreciation
(Chap. 11:33-36)—The doxology at the end of chapter 11 forms a natural segue (bridge) to the practical exhortations in this chapter. As we have already noted, reflecting on all that has gone before in the preceding eleven chapters will have a positive effect on the believer. It will produce a sincere appreciation for what God has done to save him, and it will be expressed in praise and thanksgiving. This is really the spring for all right Christian behaviour. Let us, then, take time to consider (and meditate on) what God has done through Christ for His own glory and for our blessing; it will make us thankful, devoted Christians.
Dedication
(Chap. 12:1)—Assuming that the heart of the believer is filled with appreciation for what God has done, Paul immediately presses home the claims of Christ in redemption. The “compassions of God” in reaching out and saving us at a great cost to Himself, not only call for thanksgiving, but also for the surrender of our lives to the cause of Christ in this world. Paul, therefore, calls for the dedication of our lives as the appropriate response. He says, “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies [compassions] of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” Note: he doesn't say, "I command you brethren..." because it is not legal obedience that God desires from the Christian. Our natural response should be, "I need to give something back to Him. What can I do for Him?" Or, as the psalmist said, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Psa. 116:1212What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? (Psalm 116:12)).
The logic of the cross—what happened there—ought to lead the believer to an unconditional surrender of his life to Christ. This is dedication. Dedicate means “to give up to.” (See Acts 15:2626Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:26) in the J. N. Darby Translation.) In Scripture, it has the thought of devoting something to God (Lev. 27:21, 2821But the field, when it goeth out in the jubilee, shall be holy unto the Lord, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's. (Leviticus 27:21)
28Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord. (Leviticus 27:28); 2 Sam. 8:1111Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; (2 Samuel 8:11)). “Present” is in the aorist tense in the Greek, meaning that it ought to be a once-for-all thing in the life of the believer. (If a person backslides in his soul, and gets away from walking with the Lord, he will need to re-dedicate his life, but that is not normal Christianity.) Our “bodies,” which were once used as the vehicle of our own wills, now, resulting from the grace of God working in our hearts, are to be gladly laid on God's altar as a sacrifice to be used in His service.
Dedication is closely connected with Lordship; the two things really go together. Acknowledging Christ's Lordship involves relinquishing the captaincy of our lives to Him. Having Christ as Lord of our lives goes beyond having Christ as our Saviour—it’s one thing to know Him as our Saviour who died for us, and quite another thing to have Him as the Lord of our lives. Lordship has to do with recognizing His authority practically. It is owning that He is the only One who has the right to order our lives, because He has a claim in redemption over all that we are and all that we do (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:2320For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23)). This “sacrifice” is to be a voluntary choice of the believer whose heart has been touched by the love of Christ (2 Cor. 5:14-1514For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14‑15)). It is purely a personal matter; it is not a group exercise.
This shows that when the heart is taken up with admiration and affection for Christ, there will be an entirely new motive in the believer that will alter the course of his whole life. The objectives, goals, and personal ambitions that he once had will be gladly sacrificed and exchanged for the pursuit of what pertains to the glory of God in Christ. It is a noble sacrifice that will be richly rewarded, both now and in a coming day. We won't be sorry that we gave our lives to Him! There has never been a single believer found, who has surrendered his life to Christ, and regrets doing it! It is truly the way to a happy, fruitful Christian life.
There are really three sacrifices In Christianity:
Sometimes dedication is confused with consecration, but there is a difference. Dedication has to do with us putting something into God’s hand—our lives (vs. 1); whereas in consecration, God puts something into our hands—He fills our hands with a work to do for His name (vss. 6-8). Note also: Romans 12:1 Says that this sacrifice must be “holy.” God will accept and use our lives when we give them to Him, but they must be holy. If we are not living a holy life, it cannot be accepted and used in His service.
Paul adds that it is our “reasonable service.” Reasonable should be translated “intelligent.” This means that our sacrifice to God is something that can be reasoned out intelligently and logically. What Paul is saying here is that in view of what Christ has done for us, the only right and logical thing for us to do is to respond by surrendering our lives to Him. There is also the thought here that Christian service is something that we understand, as far as what we do and why we do it. This is in contrast to the Old Testament service of God. When the Levites in that system carried out their service in offering sacrifices, there was much that they didn’t understand. For instance, they didn't know why they were to cut the sacrifices into various parts, etc. But in Christianity, we have an “intelligent service.” When the Lord calls us to His service––to which every Christian is called––we can carry it out intelligently. We know why we preach the gospel; we know why we baptize those who believe, etc.
Separation
(Chap. 12:2a)—Paul then touches on something that clearly stands in the way of the surrender of our lives to the cause of Christ—the world. He, therefore, exhorts, “Be not conformed to this world.” The reason why we need to be separated from the world is because the world and its principles are entirely opposed to a person doing the will of God. The world encourages us to put ourselves and our interests first. The root principle on which the world moves is all about doing what we want to do. We are told to live for ourselves—for what pleases us. We are encouraged to make ourselves happy in the pursuit of whatever earthly object we choose. If we have some dream to do something in this world or be somebody in this world, the world would encourage us to pursue it. But all such pursuits only conform us to its ways, and will not make us truly happy, nor will they fit us for the service of the Lord. The right-minded Christian, therefore, ought to view the world system (the society of unbelievers) as an enemy, and separate from it.
The world tells us to put SELF at the center of all our actions. God, however, would have us to put CHRIST at the center of all our actions. When we do that, and seek to do things that will make the Lord happy, a strange and inexplicable thing happens—we discover what true happiness really is! In fact, the more we try to make Him happy, the happier we become! This is a phenomenon that cannot be explained. It is the secret to true happiness, which the men of the world know nothing about. Sad to say, many Christians don't know it either, and that is why we see so many Christians pursuing worldly pleasures in search of satisfaction and happiness.
Transformation
(vs. 2b)—God wants to use every Christian in this world to promote the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, He cannot use us (to any appreciable degree) in the state in which He first saves us. There is just too much of self and the working of worldly and fleshly principles in our hearts. Hence, there is a need for transformation.
Paul says, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God has an individually tailored plan for each of our lives in view of glorifying His Son. To this end, He would have us to first discern and then to do His will in the service of the Lord. But since the ways and principles of the world so easily influence our thinking, and hinder us from discerning His will, we need to repeatedly renew our minds by refocusing them on Christ and what pertains to His interests and glory. C. H. Brown said that we might have to do this 50 times in a day! As a result, we are transformed into vessels that can be used for the Lord’s glory. Thus, transformation is effected by renewed thinking.
It is interesting to note that in the Greek text there are two different root words used for “form” in the words “conformed” and “transformed.” In conformed, it refers to a superficial change, but in transformed, it is a deep, inward change. Hence, the transformation that God would effect in us is a thorough and a lasting renovation of our beings. Simply put: as to our character and ways, we are either being conformed or we are being transformed. We are either moving toward the world or away from it. We can be sure that if worldly ambitions have a hold on our thinking, the transformation process will be greatly impaired.
When it comes to the service of God, we should not focus on what we can bring to Him as far as our abilities are concerned. Nor should we be discouraged about our inabilities. It is our availability that God desires. If we make ourselves available to Him, by giving our lives to Him, He will transform us into something useful in His service.
Thus, Paul has touched on three things that are needed in discerning God’s will for our lives:
• A yielded body (vs. 1).
• A separated life (vs. 2a).
• A renewed mind that is committed to doing God’s will (vs. 2b).
Realization
(vs. 2c)—Having the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ as our focus clears up a lot of things regarding the discerning of God’s will for our lives. With renewed thinking we will soon discern (realize) what the Lord wants us to do for Him in His service. Hence, Paul adds, “That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” As mentioned, God has a specialized plan for the life of every believer that will glorify the Lord Jesus. Since no two Christians are the same, no two life-plans are identical. This is because we all have a different place to fill in the body of Christ, as Paul goes on to show in verses 4-8. The main point here is that we all have something to do for Him (Mark 13:3434For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (Mark 13:34)), and the objective is the same for every person—to glorify the Lord Jesus.
Let us note, Paul does not say that we should know, but rather that we should “prove” God’s will in our lives. Proving includes knowing, but goes beyond that, to take in the actual experience of doing His will. And thus, we prove through experience that it is indeed “good, and acceptable, and perfect.” By trying it, we find out that it is every bit as good as God says it is. In fact, it is a joy to do His will (Psa. 40:88I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)). It seems that everybody wants to know God’s will, but this could be mere intrigue. He doesn’t usually reveal His will to such; the knowledge of His will is given rather to those who are committed to doing His will. The Lord taught this to His disciples: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)). He didn’t say, “If any man wants to know God’s will ... .” There does, therefore, needs to be a predisposition of commitment on our part. When God sees that we are serious about it, He will show us His will.
Humiliation
(vs. 3)—Having discovered what we believe is God’s will for our lives in the Lord’s service, we need to be careful of something that can sneak up on us unknowingly––self-importance (pride). This being the case, Paul says that “every man” should be careful “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” This shows us that there is a real need for humility in carrying out our service for the Lord. When we consider that God would want to use us to promote the glory of His Son in this world, it ought to humble us—not lift us up with self-importance. Such is the normal effect of the grace of God touching hearts (2 Sam. 9:88And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? (2 Samuel 9:8); Eph. 3:88Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Ephesians 3:8)).
As mentioned, humility is very important in the service of the Lord. If we are truly humble, we will not want to serve in a way that draws attention to ourselves. We can get inflated ideas about our importance, and it will spoil our effectiveness. Pride can deceive us and cause us to imagine that we have been called to do something in the Lord’s service which we have not been called to do. Paul, therefore, says that we need to “think soberly.” The lesson here is: let’s not try to be something that we’re not. Having high thoughts of self is really worldliness, which we have been enjoined to shun. We need to have the spirit of David, who said, “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me” (Psa. 131:11<<A Song of degrees of David.>> Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. (Psalm 131:1)). Apparently, this was written after his brother (Eliab) accused him of proudly trying to get involved in the struggle against Goliath and the Philistines (1 Sam. 17:2828And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. (1 Samuel 17:28)).
Consecration
If our hands are full, we won’t have room for other things. This is illustrated in the consecration of the priests in the Old Testament. In Exodus 29, after Aaron’s sons were washed with “water” (vs. 4), sprinkled with “blood” (vs. 20), and anointed with “oil” (vs. 21), Moses filled their hands with ten things that typify Christ in various ways (vss. 22-24). If we could see those priests standing there that day with those ten things in their hands, we would immediately understand that they wouldn’t have room for anything else. That’s the way it should be with us in the service of the Lord! A consecrated Christian just doesn’t have room for extraneous things in his life.
In verses 4-8 the Apostle shows that as each part of a human body has a different “function,” so also does each member in the body of Christ. He says, “For as we have many members in one (human) body, and all members (in a human body) have not the same office [function]: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” This shows that we all have a place to fill and something to do in the body of Christ. God has given special “grace” to each member of the body to fill the place in which he or she has been put (Rom. 12:66Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Romans 12:6); Eph. 4:77But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7)). God has also given “gifts” to the members of the body to help them serve in their place effectively.
Some will tell us that they don’t have a gift, but this is not true, because the Bible teaches that we all have been given a gift (1 Cor. 12:77But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:7); 1 Peter 4:1010As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)). We may not all have a gift for public ministry of the Word––and this is probably what people mean when they say they don’t have a gift––but we all have a gift of some sort. Oftentimes it is not apparent what our gift is, and this may be because we haven’t devoted ourselves to the Lord as we should. Mr. Darby said that if there were more devotion (dedication) among the saints, there would be more gift evident. He wasn’t implying that gift comes through devotion, but when a person seriously dedicates himself to the Lord, his gift will be developed, and it will become distinctly recognizable.
Different Forms of Service
Vss. 6-8––Paul proceeds to give some examples of the things we may be called to do. He mentions seven services, but it is not, by any means, a complete list. He says, “Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry [service] , let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Note: not all of these services pertain to the public ministry of the Word; some are of a private nature. The first four have to do with public ministry, whereas the last three are more private. This shows that the Lord doesn’t call everybody to be a preacher or a teacher. Regardless of what service we are to do in Christ’s body, Paul’s exhortation to each is, “Let us occupy ourselves in service” (vs. 7 – J. N. Darby Translation). God has given us the “faith” (vs. 3) and the “grace” (vs. 6) to enable us to carry out our service.
“Prophecy,” is ministry from the Scriptures concerning certain topics or issues that the saints may be confronted with at a certain time. This ministry is prophetic in the sense that it conveys the mind of God for the moment. It is telling forth God’s mind on a matter, rather than foretelling something that will come to pass, which is the kind of prophecy that the Old Testament prophets did. Some New Testament prophets prophecied in that way also (Acts 11:27-30; 20:29-31; 21:10-1127And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27‑30)
29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29‑31)
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:10‑11), etc.)
The prophecy that Paul speaks of here could be oral or written and should be done, as he says, according to “the proportion of faith” that the individual has, not according to the well-wishing of others. This shows that we need to be careful about pushing a person forward in the ministry of the Word. He may not have the faith for it, and it could lead to disaster. We want to encourage a person with this gift, but not push him beyond what he has faith for.
• Edification builds up the saints.
• Exhortation stirs up the saints.
• Comfort cheers up the saints.
“Ministry [service],” is very broad in its application. It would include public ministry of the Word, but would not be confined to it (Acts 6:4; 13:1-2; 19:224But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)
1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:1‑2)
22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. (Acts 19:22); 1 Peter 4:1111If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)). Any kind of service that we do for the Lord in natural or temporal things can be included in this (Matt. 10:41-4241He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matthew 10:41‑42); Acts 13:55And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:5); 1 Tim. 3:1010And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10)). It has nothing to do with a man or a woman filling the role of a man-made position of a clergyman (a so-called Pastor or Minister) in a Christian congregation.
“Teaching,” has to do with expounding Scripture in its proper scope and meaning––and done in an orderly way so that those who hear it, or read it, understand the truth.
“Exhortation,” is spiritual ministry from the Word of God that presses home some great truth in a practical way. It is more specific than the exhortation mentioned in prophecy.
“Giving,” has to do with one who is willing to sacrifice his time or money in the service of the Lord in some way. The giver is not to give in a way that would draw attention to what he is doing (Matt. 6:1-31Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (Matthew 6:1‑3)). This avoids stirring up covetousness in persons who might be inclined to pander after the giver (Isa. 1:2323Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. (Isaiah 1:23)). It is to be done in “simplicity”––that is, without hidden motives of getting a return from the persons to whom the gifts are given (Luke 6:34-3534And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:34‑35)).
“Ruling,” is leading and organizing things in connection with the practical arrangements of the assembly. A leader in this sense is not necessarily gifted to preach or to teach. This is to be done with “diligence.”
“Showing mercy,” is a special gift of expressing sympathy and comfort. A person with this gift may be seen doing hospital visitation and such the like. We should all have a heart for the afflicted, but some have a special gift for comforting people who are grieving. This work is to be done with “cheerfulness” because that is the very thing that people in affliction need, being that they are usually cast down.
Note also: each gift is to serve in the sphere of that gift. If a person has a gift for teaching, he is to be occupied with teaching. If a person has a gift to exhort, he is to be occupied with exhorting, etc. Much confusion can arise from someone trying to serve in a capacity that he has not been fitted for. For example, an evangelist—who may not be known for his accuracy in doctrine—trying to take on the role of a teacher, is sure to bring confusion into a Bible study. We can be warned by what happened to King Uzziah who got lifted up with pride and self-importance. He was not satisfied with his role in Israel as king; he wanted to be a priest too! But this, as we know, was something to which he had not been called, nor fitted for––and the Lord struck him with leprosy when he tried to do a priest’s work (2 Chron. 26:16-2116But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: 18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the Lord God. 19Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. 20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. 21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. (2 Chronicles 26:16‑21)).