Sunday, July 14, 2024  

Today's Scripture
Romans 12:1–8

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (NRSV)

Reflection

In Romans, Paul is carving the way for his missionary try there. He says some aggressive and intense things that have had repercussions until today about how to live and how to act.

In this passage he stresses how we are all unique. We are all individuals. Indeed, that is the basis of most of our narrative, here in the West, in America. That is something to be praised, upheld, honored. Paul instructs the Romans to honor this individuality and capability. To prophesy if that is what we are good at, to teach if that is what motivates us, to encourage well, to give generously, to lead capably, and to show mercy cheerfully.

Prayer
Dear Lord of the Romans, of Paul, and of us, remind us of the roles we are good at, the ones we delight in the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remind us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) in God, with you. Help us to nurture the roles that you have given us to play. Through you we learn and know of our roles better and better, through nurturing our minds, hearts, and souls, with you. Amen.

Written by Jessica Wang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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