The Transformed Life

1. The Transformed Life Abhor the Evil Hold to the Good Romans 12:9,14,17-21

2. The Transformed Life • The problem: sin (Rom. 1-3), is followed by the provision: savior (Rom. 4-11), which is followed by the practice: sacrifice (Rom. 12-16) • Christians are a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…” (Rom. 12:1) – holy and acceptable living for the Christian does not include evil • Christians are “transformed” by the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2) – the transformed life and the will of God for the Christian does not include evil

3. Romans 12:1-21: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. 4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; 11 in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

4. Romans 12:1-21: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. 4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; 11 in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil.Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

5. The Transformed Life • Part of living the sacrificial, transformed life involves three proper attitudes and actions toward evil and good (Rom. 12:9,14,17-21) • Consider what many in our society call “evil” and “good” (Isa. 5:20; Mic. 3:2; Mal. 2:17) • Many today are “inventors of evil things” (Rom. 1:30) and “no lovers of good” (2 Tim. 3:3) • “Evil” and “good” are determined by the standard of God’s word, not the opinions of society

6. Abhor That Which Is Evil • Christians must have the same hatred (abhorrence) for evil as God does (Lev. 20:23; Psa. 5:6; 26:5; 34:14; 36:4; 37:27; 52:3; 78:59; 106:40; 119:104,128; Prov. 8:13; Amos 5:14-15; 6:8) • Do not engage in or fellowship evil • Do not support, defend, or condone evil • Do not speak lightly or jokingly of evil • Do not appreciate or value evil in any way

7. Abhor That Which Is Evil • Christians must hold (cleave) to what is good like God does (Psa. 119:31,163; Isa. 7:15-16; 1 Thess. 5:21-22; 1 Pet. 3:10-11) • Practice and fellowship what is good • Support and defend teachers of good • Speak complimentary of what is good • Value greatly what is good

8. Render To No Man Evil For Evil • Some render evil for good (Psa. 35:12; 38:20; 109:5; Prov. 17:13; Jer. 18:20) • Others render evil for evil (Rom. 12:17) • Some render only good for good (Mt. 5:46-47) • Christians must render good for evil (Mt. 5:44; Lk. 6:27-35; Rom. 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Pet. 3:9) • Let God (Rom. 12:19) and civil government (Rom. 13:3-4) take care of the evil-doer

9. Overcome Evil With Good • Christians overcome evil by practicing good deeds toward the evil-doer (Rom. 12:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:12; Prov. 25:21-22 – “heap coals of fire” does not mean literal harm, but to cause one’s conscience to burn with guilt, shame, remorse) • Christians overcome evil by preaching truth to the evil-doer (John 3:20; 1 John 2:13-14) • Christians overcome evil by resisting the influence of the evil-doer (1 Jn. 5:4)

10. Evil and Good • How do we know what is evil and good? • Bible study (Deut. 30:15-16) • prayer (1 Kings 3:9) • experience (Rom. 16:19) • Discerning (Heb. 5:14) • Watch your friends (1 Cor. 15:33; 3 Jn. 11)

11. The Transformed Life • We have to get a handle on the standard of evil and good because our future destiny depends upon it (Jn. 5:29) • The transformed life is a life where (1) evil is abhorred and good is held fast; (2) where evil is not rewarded with evil; (3) where evil is overcome of good • Are you living the transformed life today?