Romans Chapter 12

1 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.

2 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.

This chapter starts out with these two beautiful verses about the Christian life. God wants us to treat our bodies a the temple of God. That means sacrificing our fleshly desires for a more Godly life. Our bodies are not here to give us pleasure, but to honor God. We are not to conform to the worlds standards, or what is popular, or cool. We must renew our minds and transform our lives. Through us, the world will see the will of God. This is well pleasing to God.

3 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.

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.

These verses deal with the body of Christ, in which all Christians belong, and the gifts or callings assigned to each member. The entire congregation of believers makes up Christ's body or the church. We are warned not to think to highly of ourselves, (like holier than though) because we are each given our own unique calling. Whatever it is that we are called to do, we should do it cheerfully for the Lord.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave 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.

Here we have more verses dealing with the Christian life. We are to run from evil towards that which is good. We are to love one another. We are to work hard. Have patients in suffering and be dedicated to prayer. Bless our enemies. Be happy of peoples success and understanding of peoples heartaches.

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.

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.

These last verses explain how we are to live amongst other people or the world. This sectioned sort of mirrors the opening verses. It starts by telling believers to lower ourselves to less fortunate people, and not be elevated and full of ourselves. Don't repay evil for evil, but instead live peaceably with all men. Verse 19 explains why, God says don't avenge yourselves I will will repay. It is God who will do the punishing, and he will do a way better job than we can. God is the avenger, we must understand that if we want to live according to his will. Verse 20 says to take care of your enemy, in doing so, the wrath of God will be poured out on them. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Personally this idea has been one of the hardest things for me to put into practice. Over time though, through prayer, ministering, bible study, and self discipline, this becomes easier to do. Eventually I will overcome any lust for revenge and know that it is in God's hands. Praise the Lord.

I hope this was a blessing to you and I will leave you with the way to heaven, the Gospel.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: