RENEWING OUR MINDS, AND IT’S BY PRODUCT, MUST BE MOTIVATED BY GOD’S LOVE- Rom.12:1,2

In our last look at Rom.11 I referenced Rom.12 saying that when we get to it we will read where Paul would begin to address some things about behavior as it relates to believers. And we will see now that he does. But, it's probably not what most people think of when they think about how a believer is to behave.

We also learned that Paul taught that it was necessary in God's plan for Him to "show mercy to all", that Israel would be concluded in unbelief. Because this was the way God planned for them and the rest of the nations to be shown God's mercy for salvation.

Because it was in their unbelief that Israel rejected and crucified Jesus. Whose death was planned from before God made the world because it is in this way power is given to any covenant. In Jesus' case it would give power to His will. A New Covenant. A covenant of grace wherein that which was defined as sin while Israel was under the law no longer carries the consequences that come as defined in Deut.28 when those sins are imputed.

In this New Covenant provision is made for men to be made spiritual beings by faith in Jesus as Lord. Proven by His raising from the dead. So that believing in Him we would all, both Jew and Gentile, that is the rest of the nations, be begotten sons of God just as Jesus was.

Not to make us Gods. Because we read in Isaiah42-44 that God told Isaiah that there were no Gods formed before Him. And there will never be any Gods formed after Him. But, to make us sons of God just as Jesus was when He lived as a man here on earth. God makes possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus our being made spiritual beings by the birth of a spirit in us when we believe in Jesus. A spirit that no man has until he is born again just as Jesus said in John3:1-8.

And now we wait patiently for the resurrection when we receive our immortal bodies so that the corruption of death no longer has any power over our bodies. Becauase in the resurrection we will "bear the image of the heavenly". As Paul said in 1Cor.15:46-49.

This is why Paul said as long as the Israelite is under law he can not be saved. Because as Paul told them in Rom.7:1-4 he can not be joined to Jesus while he is married to another.

This is because the law is not of faith, but of works. And salvation is by grace and not of works. If it be by works then it can not be by grace. Otherwise work is not work. And vis a versa.

This is the reason why in the "woes" Jesus spoke over the pharisees He said, "Ye strain at a gnat and swallow a camel". Meaning that in their attempt at works righteousness they spent all their time determining down to the most minute details what it meant to keep the law. And because of this these pharisees missed the forest for the trees.

In this analogy faith in Jesus is the forest when it comes to the law. While the trees are the minutia they bogged themselves down in by trying to achieve righteousness through the works of the law. When righteousness has always been by faith without works. As we see when reading about faithful Abraham.

So it is that in this New Covenant the sin men are held accountable for is defined another way. Which is why it is so important to know that how you define sin shows what covenant you are in. And if not the New Covenant then you are not saved.

Because under the law the wages of sin is death. But, under grace the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.

Sin in the New Covenant is defined the way Jesus described it would be after He left so the Holy Spirit could come in John16:9. He said it would be defined as unbelief. And that this is the sin of the world the Holy Spirit would be reproving it of.

This is why when someone who believes in Jesus defines sin they must define it as unbelief. So that unbelief is the sin of the world all men, now including Israelites made possible by their unbelief that put Jesus on the cross, are now held accountable for.

Unbelief for Israel keeps them under the law and brings eternal death. Belief in Jesus delivers the Israelite from the law to eternal life. This is what Paul said in Rom.6:23 to show that the wages earned by Israel when under the law is death. But, God's gift is eternal life, for Jew and Gentile alike, who will trust in Jesus apart from the law.

So this gift of eternal life has now become available to the rest of the nations. And to Israel also when they are dead to the law and under grace. And if they will no longer be conformed to this world saying touch not, taste not, and handle not(Col.2:21-23). But, be transformed by the renewing of their minds. So that just like the rest of the nations, Israelites too can find saving grace through faith in the love of Jesus.

Proving in themselves what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. His will that none should perish and that all men will be saved. So that as Paul said in Rom.11:26, "all Israel shall be saved". That is, all Israel that are the elect by faith and not by works.

So here again in Rom.12 we see that Paul is preaching to Israel so that they too will come to a saving faith in Jesus. Wanting them to realize that their law keeping form of works of the flesh righteousness conforms them to this world. And to be saved they must renew their mind in the Holy Spirit to faith in Jesus apart from the works of the law.

Because when this is done they will live in the spirit by God's love that will be shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. Their choices will no longer be governed by the letter of the law that kills. But, by the Spirit that gives life. Who by the love shed abroad in their hearts leads them and guides them in truth. And informs their choices so that their choices become a reflection of God's love.

So that when they make choices it will be in accordance with His love. Never again having to contemplate what the law says when making them. They are no longer according to works based upon the demands of the law. Or with the desires of the natural man. Choices that are now made according to "the measure of faith" that God gives to everyone who believes in Jesus.

Unbelievers do not have this "measure of faith". Because as Eph.2:8,9 tells us this faith is a gift only given to those who say yes with their own free will to the gospel when they hear it. Because when they say yes with their own free will they are given the gift of faith. And it is then by this faith they are made able to receive the gift of eternal life.

Paul says it is according to the gift of faith that God works in us so that we will not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. So that we function in the body of Christ in the capacity of the measure of faith we have been given by God.

This is why Paul then says,

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 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."

Here Paul makes it clear that even though we are all one body in Christ Jesus. We are not all given the same gifts for ministering to the assembly of believers. And we are to use the gifts we are given, loving "without dissimulation". Which means loving without being puffed up. "And abhorring that which is evil; cleaving to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 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.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

So we see the behavior of the believer is according to love. And has nothing to do with the works of the law. Because the law is not love. It is works. It makes men behave without changing their hearts. Something only God can do through the birth of a spirit in us that can commune with the Holy Spirit. Who leads us and guides us in all truth by His love. A love that Rom.5:1-5 tells us is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Now in this next verse Paul makes a very important point that in these troublous times seems especially relevant. He tells them, 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 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.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Here Paul is teaching what Jesus tried to teach Israel when He lived here on earth among them as a man. In Mt.5:43-48 Jesus said,

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

So we see here that to "be perfect" is to love as Jesus loves us. And in loving as He does we do not avenge ourselves. We leave that in God's hands to do with what He will. This is so important because only God knows how to lead a man to repentance in exactly the way each individual needs.

So with all of the evil we are seeing around us in the world we must keep this in mind if we are to "be perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect". Love as God does and leave vengeance to Him.

So now we know what is to motivate the behavior of believers. And that it is not the keeping of the law. Nor is it the God given desires of the flesh. It is God's love shed abroad in our hearts that must cause us to "do unto others as we would have them do to us". It is a renewing of the mind by communing with the Holy Spirit that changes us from thinking the way the world thinks, to thinking the way God thinks.

But, not all men have this love. Because in 2Thes.3:2 Paul tells us that "not all men have faith". This is why we believers share His love that is shed abroad in our hearts with others. Because when they see His love they will either be drawn to Him by it. Or they will be repulsed by it. The choice is theirs.

How anyone can be repulsed by God's love is a mystery to me. But, many are. Even some who call themselves christian are repulsed by God's love. One such man comments at this website on occasion. Saying those who speak of God's love are effeminate and other such blasphemies. Because he can not find his way out from under the law that the Bible says works only wrath.

But, if you do not yet know God's love. And want this love in your life that He has for you that will begin to lead you in all of your choices by the renewing of your mind. Then turn from idols, those things that hold you back from believing in Him, to serve the living and true God.

Trust in Jesus today and you will know His love. Trust in Jesus today and you will be made a child of God and heir to His kingdom. Through the birth of a spirit in you that never existed before. A spirit that equips you to talk with and hear from the Holy Spirit. And when you put off this mortal body the receiving of a new immortal body at the resurrection.

Paul says that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead. You shall be saved. Do this and you will be born again. Do this and you will become a spiritual being. Do this and all the things God has prepared for those who love Him will be yours forever.

Do this... and I will see you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v39duky-renewing-our-minds-and-its-by-product-must-be-motivated-by-gods-love-rom.12.html