The new theme – God's righteousness worked out in our lives. Here is the application of God's truth into practice. The truths already taught have an impact upon us.

v1: "Therefore;" our response to what has gone before;

• we stand by faith (11.20);
• we are the wild branches grafted into the good vine (11.24);
• we have obtained mercy (11.30);
• all things are to be subject to Him (11.36).

Our motivation is "the mercies of God." Literally these are 'compassion;' manifested in His mercies. In response to His compassion manifested to us in His abundant mercies, we willingly sacrifice ourselves. There is a voluntary yielding of our preferences, desires, and ambitions.

Whilst OT sacrifices were of dead animals, we present ourselves as living sacrifices; we may give up our 'things,' but here Paul speaks of a giving up of our lives. The giving up of 'things' then follows; otherwise we may fall into legalism (see Col 2). This also implies that we take care of ourselves, body, soul, and spirit.

Such a sacrifice is holy and acceptable to God, like a ram of consecration (Gen 22). The sacrifice is consumed, just as Christ was consumed by His zeal for God. Similarly, Jephthah's daughter was devoted to God. By such an offering, we please God.

This is also a continuous offering, Lev 6.13. Whilst we may reach crises in our lives, when we surrender in specific areas, the burden here is that our lives are an on-going offering to God.

This is our reasonable service, our spiritual worship; our fully logical and proper response to God's mercies towards us.

v2: The distinction from the world; our lives, in every aspect, must be different from what we see around us. Worldly attitudes are to be rejected, and we must submit to God's moulding of us; this follows from the giving up of ourselves to God.

"Transformed;" a change from the inside; the word is used of Christ at the transfiguration, and also in 2 Cor 3.18.

Our mind to be renewed; this implies we share one mind, all moulded by God. Thus our thoughts, and the way we think, must be changed; we learn to think the way God thinks. We learn to think 'Christianly.' We therefore prove God's will; we find out that God's will is always "good and acceptable and perfect;" see John 7.17. This confirms in our daily lives that Christianity is true.

v3-8: The teaching of v1-2 is applied to the body of Christ. Thus spiritual gifts are not to be regarded as a separate thing in themselves, but as part of our experience as Christ's body.

v3: A right attitude to ourselves as individuals; 2 Cor 9.8; Phil 4.13. God can use me because of the grace He has given to me. The gifts of God are gifts of His grace. Further, he has given to me "the measure of faith," a portion determined and given.

Paul addresses "everyone;"

• everyone should be devoted to God (v1-2);
• everyone should have a right attitude to themselves;
• everyone should be seen as part of the body (v4-5); and
• everyone should use his gifts in a proper (v6-8) way.

To think soberly is to be realistic and serious, recognising personal strengths and weaknesses.

v4-5: A right attitude to our place in the church. The church is a key aspect of NT doctrine; here the word is used in a local sense, whereas Eph 4 teaches similar truths in relation to the whole church. Thus we are members of one another, part of the same body. The body is an orderly structure; there are offices or functions, for we all have a role to play. Our Head is Christ, who exercises authority over the church, His body.

There is a diversity of gift, as in 1 Cor 12, and different functions. But we have a responsibility to each other, to be loyal, supportive, working for the mutual benefit of all, see 1 Cor 12.7, "for the profit of all."

v6-8: A right attitude to our God-given gifts. "Having then gifts;" is a statement of fact; it is true of each one of us; and those gifts are plural. They are God-given (1 Cor 12.11); His prerogative is to give to whomever He wishes; there is no room for jealousy or pride. Gifts are not necessarily a sign of personal spiritual maturity.

There are different needs; of care, of control, of construction; all building up the whole body. Our gifts are to be used in the church, for the good of the church. Some have a more public role than others, but that does not make one more important than another.

Brief definitions;

• prophecy – declaring the word of God to a specific situation;
• ministry – serving, including practical and background work;
• teaching – explaining the word of God;
• exhorting – encouraging;
• giving - contributing to the needs of the church;
• leading – ie: to rule, 1 Tim 3.4, 5, 12; implying care and diligence;
• showing mercy – delighting to serve others.

Those committed to God are more interested in blessing others than in pleasing themselves.

The word 'leadership' is broader than Eldership. Leadership is the ability to see direction from God, and motivate and encourage others to follow that direction. Leaders respect the past, address the present, and live for the future.

v9-21: The character of Christ to be seen in our lives, especially in our relationships with one another. These apply the principles of v1-2, and further explain the framework for using our God-given gifts.

v9: Two essentials; love and holiness.

Love, without hypocrisy (Lev 2.11), pretence, favouritism; love puts others before oneself. Love is to be shown towards other Christians (v10), and towards unbelievers (v14). This is taught by Christ also, Matt 5.44; John 13.34; and perfectly demonstrated in His life.

Holiness is a discernment between good and evil (practice), and between truth and error (doctrine). This is a decision applied in action; once we have said that something is good we embrace it. The word translated "cling" (KOLLAO) means glue.

v10: Kindness and humility, putting others first. These are continuous verbs, indicating a consistent attitude, rather than individual acts. Our attitude to others means we show respect and give dignity.

v11: The servant of God, offering himself, consumed in his zeal for God. Diligence and fervency must be directed aright in the service of God; either can be misdirected into other things. There is the example of Phinehas (Num 25.11), who was commended for his zeal for God. Our Lord Himself cast the money-changers out of the temple (John 2.14-17). Serve the Lord with gladness (Ps 100.2); the way we serve is as important as what we do. We should have both zeal and gladness – a mix found only in Christ and those who belong to Him.

v12: Again, the verbs here are continuous; the Greek text lists ten specific commands in v10-13.

Spirituality and 'stickability'; vital in difficult times. We rejoice in our hope, see 5.2. In tribulation and affliction we are patient, showing endurance; we must press on in doing what God commands. In all things and in all circumstances, pray, and carry on praying.

v13: Practical kindness to others. Share with other Christians, and show hospitality. We note that our first responsibility is towards those who are in Christ.

v14-21: People can be difficult to deal with, or they may mistreat us. This section recognises that, and gives specific guidance for the Christian seeking to be obedient.

v14: Our response to persecution; this refers to the continuous deliberate mistreatment at the hands of others. In such a circumstance, we are simply commanded to bless.

v15: Unselfish attitude, and sympathetic compassion. We do not envy those who prosper, but rejoice with them; we do not despise those who suffer, but weep with them.

v16: Humility and harmony, as in 15.5-6. We are to be of one mind, and that the mind of Christ. Identify with the humble; those things and those people so often despised by the world; we follow the example of Christ who ate with tax collectors and 'sinners.' See also Acts 17.21, and contrast Jer 6.16; there is a need for simple obedience.

v17: Do not retaliate, 1 Pet 2.23. Beware the appearance of evil, 2 Cor 8.21; make sure both the reality and the appearance are good.

v18: Blessed are the peacemakers; therefore avoid all discord; let others promote strife; we will promote peace. Whilst we cannot be responsible for the attitudes and actions of others, we are responsible for our own.

v19-20: Our part is to be merciful to others, leaving God to judge. Through our acts of kindness to those of hard hearts, such judgment is confirmed.

v21: A summary verse, bringing together the section from v14; in Christ, we are confident that good will ultimately triumph. In our lives we can be overcomers through being godly, and doing good.