Romans 12 Commentary
Chapter 11 closed the first section of Romans. Having dispensed with the Law of Moses, the section elevated the Law of the Spirit. Grace or mercy underlined the Law of the Spirit.
The Law of Moses defined who interacted with the LORD and how. The Gentiles didn’t stand a chance. Procedures and processes were cast in steel and concrete. But ‘election’ broke these structures mercilessly and the outsiders stole into the blessing. Jacob is one perfect example. Born outside the blessing structure, his destiny was doomed but mercy said ‘NO’.
It was always good news to everyone who felt unqualified under the rules. They could receive the grace of the Spirit and interact with the LORD in salvation.
We also faced impossible mountains – trying to understand the Knowledge, Wisdom, Justice, … and Compassion of the Sovereign Creator God. We faced new terms, predestination, and election among others. We also inverted our own but they all met, never met, or both; combined, never combined, or both; they agreed, never agreed, or both; we understood, never understood, or both. What confusion! How to short-circuit your brain! What a way to land your imagination in a bottomless pit! We gave up!
In the end, we made the same conclusion as Paul, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
The second section defines the Law of the Spirit. Yes, the law is still there and we have the details in the second section. So, given the Law of the Spirit (mercy or grace), offer your body as a living sacrifice. It is a picture Paul’s readers understood very well. The “whole-burnt” sacrifice on the altar of the LORD had to be perfect. No blemish! The Law of the Spirit demands the person and not the animal. It’s a different “ball game” altogether!
This animal is “given” to the LORD. It is not a free animal moving in the wild – claiming good works but without any connection with the altar of the LORD.
The altar of the LORD is big enough to accommodate all the perfect animals. They will be different animals but all of them are perfect. They are one family. They have different gifts but they are still one family. The altar is big enough and so is the family and they all can manifest their gifts to the fullest without friction.
They are all united in their love, sincerity, hatred of evil, devotion to one another, zeal, joy, patience, and generosity. They bless when persecuted, rejoice with those who mourn, and in harmony with each other. Never conceited and proud, they warmly associate with people of low status.
They don’t get revenge, either by themselves or through others. Instead, they feed their enemies!
They overcome evil with good. This is a mouthful! You want to read the chapter again and again.
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