Romans 12:1-21
The New Life In Christ
What is this new Life that Jesus, during his ministry, has invited us to consider?
Paul, likely writing from Corinth to the early church in Rome at this point in his ministry, is moved to outline for him what the Christian life is about and how it ought to be lived. Don't get caught up in the way of the everyday world with its doubtful standards, but experience the working of God's spirit in you and in discerning this, you will know how to conduct yourself. Paul outlines that the Church, which is a form of Christ's body, has many parts and each of us is a contributing part wit a unique role to play, for the upbuilding and functiioning of the whole. In a way, this reminds me of the Gestalt theory which says the that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In a sense Christian life and spirituality is like that, for when we perceive that life, in all its facets, is made up of many parts adding to the whole, God is in this. When Paul talks about the nature of Love (v 9ff), he outlines an approach to living in the midst of all conceivable situations: "hold fast to what is good, ...rejoice in hope, patience in suffering, persevere in prayer, help the needy, hospitality to all, overcome evil with good".
This seems like good stuff to ponder and embrace.
Archdeacon Ken Cardwell
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