Gifts to all, a variety of gifts, challenges for every believer

By Dean Collins

Like many of you, I have read Romans chapter 12 many times. I suspect it is a favorite of many followers of Christ and a passage that pastors and Bible teachers love to preach and teach because it is rich in content.

I often refer to verses 1 and 2 in my writing and my teaching, and I quote them to myself as a reminder of the transformational work of God that happens to us when we present ourselves fully to him. Paul teaches us that God transforms us by the renewal of our minds. We are literally given a new way to think, to approach life, which is radically different than our previous way of thinking and acting. We are to have the mind of Christ or, in other words, to think and act like Jesus in all matters. Of course, this isn’t possible except through the work of the Holy Spirit who daily transforms our thinking as we surrender to God and fill our minds and thoughts with God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit daily transforms our thinking as we surrender to God and fill our minds with God’s Word.

Paul goes on to tell us that while we all possess the mind of Christ, we each have different gifts given to us through God’s grace. And while some have gifts of teaching or serving or leading or many other gifts, we are all called to use the mind of Christ and work as one body. Jesus wants us all walking on his path and teaching his words so that his kingdom can advance. He calls us all to be disciples and to spread his love, teach his truth, and disciple all people.

I see a pattern in Romans 12 that I had missed in earlier readings.

All are called to offer our bodies and will to God.
All who surrender are transformed by the renewal of their minds.

All are given gifts, but the gifts are not the same for everyone.
However, all are called to work as one even, as we might do it slightly differently based on our gifting.

Some things for all and some things different but for one purpose. And then in the last half of Romans 12, we are given ways of acting that are the same for all of us. Here is the list of actions and attitudes all of us are to follow:

• Love genuinely
• Hate evil
• Hold tightly to what is good
• Love one another with brotherly love
• Outdo one another in showing honor or respect for others
• Don’t be slothful or lazy in your enthusiasm about God and his kingdom
• Be fervent or passionate in how you serve God and others
• Rejoice in hope
• Be patient when suffering
• Always pray
• Give to the needs of others and be hospitable
• Bless those who persecute you and do not curse them
• Rejoice with those who rejoice
• Weep and grieve with those who are grieving
• Live in harmony with one another
• Don’t be too proud that you avoid those less fortunate
• Don’t think yourself to be wiser than the next person
• Don’t repay evil with evil
• Think about and act on what is honorable or best for all
• Do your part in living at peace with everyone
• Never avenge yourself
• If your enemy is hungry feed him; if he is thirsty give him a drink
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Let me say again this list is for all followers of Christ and it is how we are to act as Christians. It is not a pick-and-choose list. I don’t get to single out my five favorites and leave the rest to you.

I don’t get to single out my five favorites and leave the rest to you.

Imagine the witness to the world we would have if every follower of Christ determined to practice this list! The implications for the local community, the social media platforms, and the divisions we have in virtually every category would suddenly begin to change.

I think I get verse 1 even more as I think of this chapter as a whole. Paul appeals to us, to all believers, by the mercies of God to surrender self to God and to be transformed by the Holy Spirit so that we might live in a way that is so opposite of the world and so genuine that everyone would see God’s goodness and receive his love.

Your time with God’s Word
Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬