I beseech you
Beseech is a word meaning “to call near”. Gather around the Lord, and hear His Word to us.
Romans 12 is one of the most practical chapters in this book.
It begins with our surrender to die to self. That we may be kept from the world (it’s attitudes and influence)….. the flesh (our self-life), and the devil (who seeks to separate us from God, by sin, pride, and anger)
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
(A note here, the whole burnt sacrifice, which was a voluntary sacrifice, of which this speaks, was brought to the door of the Tabernacle, and the person placed their hand on the beast and confessed his sins, and then he killed the beast and the blood was sprinkled by the priests around the altar, and the beast was cut up, cleansed on the inside, and wholly burnt on the altar….Leviticus 1:3,9
When Paul calls for a living sacrifice….he is saying, bring yourself wholly before God, the Holy Spirit,… and lay yourself upon the altar of His day by day Will.)
“ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Then Paul, in a very practical fashion….goes on to explain that when we give ourselves to God….we are not to think of ourselves “more highly that we ought”…because we have done this,…but to be honest, and see the measure of faith God has given us.
This “measure of faith” has to do with our work….our ministering to others….our gifts and callings.
Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith:”
Some may be given great faith to go and preach in foreign lands, or work in the ministry to churches….or some may be given special faith to start and finish a particular work. But all we do for the Lord, should be by His grace through the measure of faith He has given us.
(It is a great blessing to know, when things get tough and tribulations come, that the Lord has sent you into this situation….this place, this people.)
Paul goes on and speaks of faith for ministry, teaching, exhorting, or giving, ruling or being in an authoritative position…
….and the gifts of mercy to others…and always with love in our hearts to God and those we are sent to…
…fervent in spirit, which means to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit, and His Word to us…and see to what He is telling us, today…
…continuing instant in prayer….being ready to pray for anyone, anywhere. Always staying before the throne of grace to get the help we need.
( When my daughter and I, began our ministry of prayer….it was in a most unlikely place. She had a paper route, and really came to love the people she delivered to. They became almost like family….and when she and I went out together…many of them would mention about so and so being in the hospital…or had fell down, etc.
Well my daughter and I began to tell them we would pray for these things. And we did…making a prayer list, but also immediately praying for those sick and troubled…even as we walked around.
Although seemingly uncaring….many began to seek out our prayers, telling us about other troubles…and we began a work of prayer for many of them.)
Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
( My husband had a message on this verse once….and said,…
…”The apostle must have known that there are some people that we can not live peaceably with.
So Paul, here, says plainly that we must not worry what others do….we must have the attitude that we will not cause the strife…or aggravate it….even if they do.”)
All of this chapter…up to this point….is stressing the self-denial of life….and work.
But then things become different and difficult: It is not so hard to love those who love and follow the Lord….but:
Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Here Paul again speaks of his love for them….”dearly beloved” or “Friend”
To avenge is to make people suffer for what they have done to you or a loved one.
And we are to be dead to vengeance….for only God has the authority to judge….and He plainly says: I will repay.
This, plainly, is a hard saying…..maybe we can see we are not to “stand up for ourselves”….but for others we love? or for the work? Or for the Lord?
Once we place ourselves on that Altar of God, the Holy Spirit….He will use many things to “burn us up”….or purify us wholly.
God can take care of HIs own glory….but we are to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude3) But this is to make people aware of the Truth….once they are aware….it is up to them.
God can take care of HIs Work….but we are to be “faithful stewards”(2 Cor. 4:2) of the gospel of God….but this again is in making known the Truth…and doing what we can.
God can take care of us….and those we love. How many times has He delivered, and cared for us?
Our enemies are in great danger….not that they know it….but the real victory, for us here, is:
“Be not overcome of evil”….if we acted like they do, we would be the ones overcome.
“But overcome evil with good.”….this good is moral strength….is a willed confidence that God will bring His good out of the situation….for HIs glory.
And this can only be in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through us….as we are that sacrifice unto God.
Let us gather near to God and hear His provision for us in this world….”Sacrifice to Me. This is voluntary….I will not require it.
But it is the means to have the faith and grace that flows from My Holy Spirit….giving strength and power….to you and through you.”
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 