Romans 12

Okay, I'm going to see if I memorized Romans 12 effectively.

Let me give an intro:
Romans is written by the Apostle Paul to the new Christian believers in Rome 56-57AD
In the first 11 chapters Paul addresses God's holiness, the unholiness of both the Jews and the Gentiles, the need for righteousness to avoid God's wrath, the way of righteousness being through belief in Jesus Christ, being justified by faith in God (and not of your own good deeds or adherence to the Law),the process of sin having no power in your life through Christ and the process of being made holy through Him, sinning leading to being a slave to sin, how we can only not sin through the Spirit of God, how to fight sin and please God, we are free from the burden of the Law (which condemns us, as no one can live up to the Law (the "Law" being the famous 10 commandments plus the 600+ commandments God gave and required for holiness), God's graciousness towards Isreal (although they turned their backs on him 1000s of times).

So from there on Romans 12 on Paul talks about how to apply the righteousness that has been given to believers...That's why it starts "Therefore" since Paul has just preached the truth of God, now he tells the believers how to apply that truth.

Okay, let's see if I can remember it...

Romans 12 NASB version

Therefore, I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members if 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 one of another. Since we have been given gifts that differ according to the grace given us, each of us is to 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 leads, with diligence; he who gives, with liberality; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 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, fervert in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope,perservering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persectue you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind towards one another. Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone, but do what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Do not take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written "Vengence is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Phew...wow.
Okay, I'm really going to bed now. I'm so glad I still remember it. That chapter really changed the way I think about things...