The Believer’s Conduct - Rewards & Loss

Our last study opened the 12^th chapter of Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1 – 2. Whereas Israel was commanded to follow the Law, Exodus 20:1 – 17; Exodus 35:1 – 4, etc., individual members of the Body of Christ, both Jews and Gentiles, having been saved by God’s Grace, are beseeched, i.e., “exhorted, encouraged, admonished, instructed or summoned” to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service.

Following these opening verses, Paul proceeds to explain the specifics of what it is to present one’s body a living sacrifice, which is the believer’s reasonable service. These specifics are the good works God has ordained for Members of Christ’s Body. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. Specifically, believers during this age of Grace:

Are to recognize they are members of Christ’s Body; humbly consider they are not higher or better than another member; soberly exercise self-control because God has dealt each a measure of faith (indicating some may be dealt more or less faith than others.) And just as the human body has many different members to carry out different functions, so each individual member of Christ’s Body has different functions for the good of the body, Romans 12:3 – 8.

Are to love others sincerely, without hypocrisy; abhor or dislike what is evil; cleave or fasten to that which is good, meaning “useful, agreeable, excellent, honorable, etc.” Romans 12:9.
Are to have reciprocal tenderness or affection, brotherly love and honor for others, Romans 12:10.
Are not to be slothful, backward or indolent in their earnestness; they should be fervent or zealous in spirit, serving, i.e., obeying or yielding to the Lord, Romans 12:11.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12. This “hope” in which believers are to rejoice or be glad in is not something they just hope will happen, it is the joyful expectation of what they know will happen. To be patient in tribulation is to persevere, endure, bear bravely and calmly the distress or afflictions that present themselves; and to constantly continue in prayer to God.
Are to share the needs of fellow believers; to seek after or pursue hospitality, entertain strangers, Romans 12:13.
Are to speak well or bless those who persecute, trouble, harass them; to bless or speak well and curse not, Romans 12:14.
Are to rejoice with them who rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15, that is, have sincere empathy for others.
Are to be likeminded with other believers, not attempting to strive to the lofty, exalted in this world but condescend to the lowly and humble, not in one’s self-interest, Romans 12:16.
Are not to wrongly treat another because they are wronged, to take care to be honorable and good before all people, Romans 12:17.
Are, as much as possible, to live at peace or keep harmony with everyone, Romans 12:18.
Are not to act in revenge toward someone who has wronged them, but let their wrathful temper cool, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19, quoted from Deuteronomy 32:35. “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” Romans 1:18.
Are not to let evil overcome them but overcome evil with that which is good, Romans 12:21.
Are to subordinate themselves to the powers or authorities over them because those powers are ordained by or under God. Therefore, those who resist those in authority are resisting God and will receive the penalty for their resistance, Romans 13:1 – 5. (If you want to argue whether the citizens of the 13 colonies were obedient to the Word of God when they rebelled against the rule of England’s King George in 1776, go ahead and do so. It’s a moot question now and the Lord will sort it all out some future day with those true believers who lived in 1776.)
Are to pay the taxes due the government, Romans 13:6 – 7. (Those who claim to be believers and call themselves “Constitutionalists” or something else to avoid paying taxes will answer to God. Somehow the idea of them standing before Almighty God and arguing their case seems ludicrous. As for now, they are very poor testimonies for God.)
Are not to be in debt to others (we know most people today could not buy a house unless they took out a loan, so the question; is this exhortation/admonishment against any debts at all or an admonishment to those who get themselves into situations beyond their control or those who are habitual flakes? The Lord will judge.) On the other hand, this verse states an exception to owing, that being that believers owe it to others to love them because doing so fulfills the Law, Romans 13:8.

We know from the teaching of Romans that Christ fulfilled the law for us. However, that does not give us license to go about violating the principles of the Law, as the following verses make clear.

Shall not “ … commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:9 – 10.

And so, all 10 commandments except that to honor the Sabbath apply to believers today; however, believers are beseeched, i.e., exhorted, encouraged, admonished, instructed or summoned to abide or live, in accordance with all but the Sabbath as part of their reasonable service. Believers are forgiven and have Christ’s righteousness on their accounts. Under the Law of Moses, those who violated the Law paid one way or the other; on a scale ranging from being stoned to death to having to bring an animal or bird to the Tabernacle/Temple as a sacrificial offering, with faith that God would forgive. (Nowhere in the Pauline epistles are we instructed to keep the Sabbath; it has no place for believers today according to Galatians 4:9 – 11. Under Paul’s ministry, the early churches met on Sunday, the first day of the week, Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2.)

Are to be wide awake to the fact The Lord Jesus Christ could come to take believers up at any time; thus, they are to put away fleshly impulses and put on the armor of Light (Christ is the Light of Life, John 8:12; John 12:46); i.e., believers are to put on The Lord Jesus Christ and not make provision for the lusts of the flesh, Romans 13:11 – 14.

Paul expounds these teachings further in his epistles following Romans. He reminds the Corinthians and all believers since, that although people may not read his epistles, the life of the believer is his epistle: “ … Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:2 – 3. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. See also Galatians 5:13 – 16 & the 4^th, 5^th and 6 chapters of Ephesians. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:11 – 13.

Believers cannot lose their salvation, but all will stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give an account unto God, Romans 14:10 – 12. There, all their works will be laid bare and tried, so as by fire, resulting in some work being rewarded while some will be burnt up, 1 Corinthians 3:12 – 15.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.