Religious versus Righteous

Scripture: Romans 3:21-26

C.I.: How a Righteous Person Lives

In February we began a series on Romans (about how a person is justified/made righteous). –
During July we will be doing a “Romans Part 2” – where we will discover how a justified believer lives!

I. Four Pictures of a Righteous Person, (Romans 12)

A. Picture #1: A Living Sacrifice, (vs. 1-2)

1. ( v. 1 ), “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living holy sacrifice…..”
a. The “mercies of God” are seen by what God has done for us to make us righteous – in chapters 1-11!
1) Righteousness on the basis of the gospel message, ( quote 1:16-17a ).
2) R. on the basis of faith, ( 3:22 ), “The R. of God through faith in Christ Jesus for all who believe.”
3) R. on the basis of the scriptures, ( 4:3 ), “For what does the scripture say, ‘And Abraham believed
God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'”

b. So because of God's mercy – we voluntarily offer our lives as a sacrifice to Him.
1) Our lives used to be about “US” – and what we could do for ourselves… but no longer!
2) Totally ommitting ourselves to God = “sacrifice,” -each day = “living,” to do His will = “holy” .
3) We do this – because of what He has done for us – and as an act of worship!
a) Worship = “The decision to come into the presence of God”
b) But we must come into His presence – His way! ( quote Matt. 15:9; Jn. 4:22 ).
c) When we make the decision to become a “living holy sacrifice” – we are making the
decision to live in the presence of God – on a daily basis!!!

2. It all comes down to the way we think , ( v. 2 ), “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed….”
a. We are either conforming to this world – or conforming to God's will!
1) “Transformed” = the same word as “transfigured” in Matt. 17:1-2 , “6 days later Jesus took w/
Him Peter & James & John his brother, & brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. – He was
transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.””
2) What Jesus allowed to happen on His outside – is what we allow to happen on our inside –
When we conform our thinking to that which the Spirit desires for us to have.
3) ( II Cor. 3:18 ), “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, - are
being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, - just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
a) When we focus our minds – on the things revealed to us by God's Spirit (in the word)
- it is just like looking in a mirror – but the face reflected back to us – is JESUS!
b) Thus, the first picture of a righteous person – is that of a living sacrifice to God!

B. Picture #2: A Part of His Body, (vs. 3-8)

•  ( vs. 4-5 ), “For just as we have many members in one body – and all the members do not have the same function, - so we, who are many, - are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
a. The intricacy & complexity of our physical bodies is awesome! – How much more the spiritual body!
1) “Body” = Church, ( Quote Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18 ), “And He put…” – “He is also head of….”
2) Therefore, it is because of what God in His mercy has done for each one of us – that each one
of us – are called to function with/for each other – within the body (church) of Christ!

•  Paul mentions 7 different ways to function – ( vs. 6-8 ), “And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy , according to the proportion of his faith; if service , in his serving; or he who teaches , in his teaching; or he who exhorts , in his exhortation; he who gives , with liberality; he who leads , with diligence; he who shows mercy , with cheerfulness.”

•  These “gifts” (charismata) come from God. – He empowers the believer in these 7 areas for service!
1) So each believer needs to seek to understand their gift – and use it for the glory of God.
2) Those who are gifted in an area – it will be obvious to all as they use their gifts.

•  Yet while we are all gifted in at least one area – we are still commanded to function in each area;
1) Prophecy – ( I Cor. 14:1 ), “Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may pro.”
2) Service – ( Matt. 20:26 ), “…whoever wishes to become great among you, shall be your servant.”
3) Teaching – ( Heb. 5:12 ), “For though by this time you [plural; all of you] ought to be teachers.”
4) Exhortation/encourage – ( I Cor. 4:16 ), “Now I exhort you, be imitators of me.” – Thus, exhort !!!
5) Gives – ( Matt. 5:42 ), “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow...
6) Leads – ( I Tim. 3:1 ), “If any man aspires to the office of an overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”
7) Mercy – ( Matt. 5:7 ), “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
8) Therefore, all believers are called to be a functioning part of the Lord body (i.e., the church).

C. Picture #3: A Member of His Family, (vs. 9-13)

•  While believers have different roles – all of us are called to treat the members of God's family a certain way!
a. ( vs. 9-13 ), “Let love be without hypocrisy. – Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; - not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; - rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, - contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospit.”
1) Our “love” for one another – is called to be genuine (w/o hypocrisy).
a) If it is – then we will all “Abhor what is evil…!” – this is what the following is all about!
b) “Be devoted” = Philadelphia (companionship, friendship), i.e., LIKE and LOVE.
c) “Brotherly love” = Philostorga, the love that should exist in a godly family.
d) So “Abhor” : lagging behind in diligence (towards each other) – God calls this “evil”!
e) “Cling to” : fervency of spirit (to bubble up, have a passion for), serving, rejoicing,
persevering, devotion prayer, giving, hospitality (care for strangers)!

b. This section removes the idea – that being a Christian means, “Showing up for church!”
a) As the Lord's people – we are to be characterized by certain behaviors towards each other!
b) If these things mentioned in vs. 9-13 don't characterize your life – start making changes!!!

D. Picture #4: A Soldier in His Service, (vs. 14-21)

•  Christians have battles as well blessings. – Here we are instructed on how to deal with those who oppose us.
a. ( v. 14 ), “Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.” - Bless = to seek God's good for them!
1) This is the example we have from Jesus, ( Matt. 5:44; Lk. 23:34 ), “Pray for those… Father, forgive them…
2) This is what Stephen did to those who were murdering him, ( Acts 7:60 ), “Lord, do not hold this sin….”

b. ( v. 17 ), “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. – Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”
1) If we are going to pray for God's blessing – then how can we act towards their destruction??!
2) “…in their sight” = All believers (not just preacher's families) live in glass houses. We are seen!!!

c. ( vs. 19-20 ), “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance
is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. – But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for
in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” – Not “Sanctified Revenge” – but God's goodness in us!
1) “Heap burning coals” = Providing what they need!
2) Can't be “evil” – since God commands us not to “be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” ( v. 21 ).

2. Review 4 Pictures. – God wants to add you to His church, ( Acts 2:27 ); and He does it His way, ( vs. 28-41 )!