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We have seen that believing in Jesus includes a commitment to follow him in a life of obedience. We must now begin to look at some of the specific ways that this will be worked out in our lives. We will start with Romans 12. Paul began this letter, as we saw, by describing how sinful man is. Having spoken about all that Jesus has done for us, he concludes his letter with some practical instructions of how we should then live.
1. Paul starts Romans 12 with the word “Therefore.” He is saying that what follows is the logical consequence of what precedes. What is the logical response to all that he has just described of what Jesus has done? (Romans 12:1-3)
2. What is our attitude to the standards in the world around us to be? (Romans 12:2)
3. Paul has said that the key to behaving differently is in thinking differently (Romans 12:2). What is the starting point for having new thought patterns? (Romans 12:3)
4. What does Paul think of the independent spirit which characterizes so much of our society? (Romans 12:4-8). What does he advocate in its place?
5. How many specific instructions does Paul give in Romans 12:9-13? Try to think of practical areas in which you should be implementing each of these.
6. What should our attitude and response be to those who are against us? (Romans 12:14-21). Do you see why Paul started this chapter by saying that we are going to need a whole new way of thinking in order to live properly as Christians?
7. Read the story Jesus told in Luke 10. In response to what question did Jesus tell this story? (Luke 10:25)
8. Having told the story, what was Jesus’ reply to the question? (Luke 10:37). What did he mean by this? Can you see how we must add this to our answer to the question “What must I do?”, if our answer is to be true to the whole of scripture?
9. James took this teaching of Jesus and tried to apply it to the lives of believers. What does he say about faith that has no such practical application? (James 2:17)
10. Who else has the kind of faith in God which does not result in practical obedience? (James 2:19)
11. In what ways does the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ story provide a good example of the teaching that James gives us in these verses?
These passages tell us that our faith has to be alive in relation to other believers, to those who are against us, and to those who are our neighbors in need. Ask God to show you practical ways to express your faith in each of these areas. Then do what he tells you.
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