How do you live your life?

[StogusMaximus]

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.
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.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, 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 sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
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.

Romans 12:1-21

 

[StogusMaximus]

1. Rejoice with them that do rejoice,

Easy! If you are happy I am happy.

Your next door neighbor buys a brand new car, are you happy for them, or are you a little upset that they have a new car and you have an old beat up junker?

You co-worker gets a promotion and you don't, do you congratulate him/her and go to the party, or do you start spreading gossip and bad mouthing that person around the office.

Is it really that easy to rejoice with others as they rejoice?

How better would your life be if you were to be happy for others and their blessings instead of upset at your lack of blessings?

 

[StogusMaximus]

2. and weep with them that weep.

Do you feel for other people? When somebody is in pain do you recognize their pain?

Have you ever had somebody come to you when you were upset and cry with you? Did you find comfort in knowing that you were not alone in your pain?

Why weep with someone else? It is your soul that feels the compassion for others, and it lets those who hurt know they are loved and not alone.

 

[StogusMaximus]

3. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

"Look at that bum! He should get a job!" "No I don't want to witness to that man, He is a drunk."

Who are you going to associate with? Who are you going to witness to?

Are you too good for to visit the homeless and feed and clothe them? Are you to high-class to witness to alcoholics and the drug addicts?

Jesus associated with the "lowest" members of society........Are you better that Jesus?

 

[StogusMaximus]

4. Recompense to no man evil for evil.
avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:

How do you deal with your "enemies"?

When that person cuts you off in traffic, do you try to "get even"?, do you "yell and scream and give hand gestures"?

If your co-worker says bad things about you at work, do you turn around and say bad things about them?

What benefits you by doing what is wrong? If somebody hurts you, what benefits do you get by hurting them back? What you end up with is 2 people hurt and nobody for the better.

If somebody hurts you, and you love them back. What are the results? That person will feel your love and you will have conquered your enemy.

 

[StogusMaximus]

5. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

[debs]

Hi. Who are you talking to SM?

 

[rookie]

Good, thought provoking questions. How many of these actions do we fall prey to?

Recompense to no man evil for evil.

That was me, I'd try to get even with the person who cut me off in traffic, or the co-worker who badmouths. But now, with God's help, I remind myself to keep them in prayers.

The person who cuts me off, well, I pray they don't get into an accident or whatever. The co-worker, I ask God to help them.

Thanks for this thread Stogus.

rookie