Connecting the Remnant

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul provides profound theological teachings on the nature of salvation and righteousness. But toward the latter chapters, particularly in Romans 12 and 13, he shifts his focus to practical Christian living—how believers should apply these theological truths in their everyday lives. These chapters provide instructions on how Christians should interact with one another, with society, and even with governing authorities. Through these teachings, Paul offers timeless guidance on love, humility, unity, and anticipation of Christ's return.

In Romans 12, Paul begins with a call for believers to "offer [their] bodies as living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). This is the essence of Christian worship—not merely rituals, but a life fully devoted to God. Paul urges believers to not conform to the world’s patterns but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, so that they can discern God's will.

This transformation of mind sets the stage for the practical outworking of Christian ethics. From here, Paul emphasizes unity and humility within the community of believers:

• Humility and Unity (Romans 12:3-8): Christians should view themselves soberly and recognize their role within the body of Christ. Each person has different gifts, whether it’s prophesying, teaching, serving, giving, or leading, and these should be used to benefit the entire community. Unity is a key theme, as Paul stresses that believers are like different parts of a single body, working together for a common purpose.
• Sincere Love in Action (Romans 12:9-13): Paul outlines a series of exhortations that emphasize love, devotion, and service. Love should be sincere and free from hypocrisy. He calls on believers to "hate what is evil, cling to what is good," and to serve others with genuine affection, humility, and hospitality. This section highlights that Christian love is not passive; it’s demonstrated in action, through acts of kindness, encouragement, and service.
• Overcoming Evil with Good (Romans 12:14-21): Paul ends the chapter by teaching how Christians should respond to adversity, especially when they face persecution or injustice. Believers are called to bless those who persecute them, live in harmony with others, and leave vengeance to God. Instead of retaliating, Paul encourages acts of kindness toward enemies, quoting Proverbs 25:21-22: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” By doing so, Christians "overcome evil with good."

Romans 12 serves as a call to live out the Gospel through unity, humility, and sincere love—values that are key to forming a healthy, Christ-centered community.

In Romans 13, Paul addresses two major aspects of Christian life: how believers should relate to the government, and how they should live in light of Christ’s return.

• Submission to Governing Authorities (Romans 13:1-7): Paul begins this chapter with a surprising instruction—to submit to governing authorities. He teaches that all authorities are established by God, and by submitting to them, Christians are essentially submitting to God’s order. The government is described as an institution meant to maintain justice and peace, and believers are called to respect its role by paying taxes and showing proper honor. Paul emphasizes that Christians should obey the law, not only to avoid punishment but as a matter of conscience.

This passage may raise questions, especially in contexts where governments are unjust or oppressive. However, Paul’s overall message encourages believers to seek peace and to live lawfully as citizens, trusting that God is sovereign even over worldly powers.

• Love as the Fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:8-10): Paul then returns to the theme of love. He instructs believers to owe nothing to anyone except the debt of love. Love is described as the ultimate fulfillment of the law. By loving others, believers naturally keep God’s commandments, which prohibit actions like adultery, murder, theft, and covetousness. This section reinforces the idea that Christian ethics are grounded in love—love for God and love for others.
• Living in Light of Christ’s Return (Romans 13:11-14): In the final verses, Paul urges believers to live with an awareness of the nearness of Christ's return. He writes that “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11), calling believers to wake up and live in the "daylight" of righteousness. This passage calls for moral vigilance, casting off sinful behaviors like drunkenness, sexual immorality, and jealousy, and instead “putting on the armor of light” and the character of Jesus Christ.

This message points to the hope of Christ’s return and encourages believers to live with urgency and purpose, recognizing that the time is short.

As we reflect on Romans 12 and 13, several key principles emerge that can shape how Christians live today:

1. A Life of Sacrifice: True worship involves living out our faith daily, offering our lives as living sacrifices to God. This means choosing to live differently from the world, with a transformed mind that seeks to honor God in every decision.
2. Unity and Humility: We are part of one body in Christ, each with unique gifts meant to serve others. Humility allows us to work together in unity, recognizing that no role is too small in the body of Christ.
3. Sincere Love: Christian love is more than emotion; it’s practical and sacrificial. From showing hospitality to serving others, love should be evident in our actions and relationships.
4. Overcoming Evil with Good: In a world often filled with division, conflict, and hostility, Christians are called to respond differently—blessing instead of cursing, and repaying evil with good.
5. Respect for Government: Paul’s teaching on submitting to authorities challenges believers to live peaceably within their societies, showing respect for law and order, even when the government is not perfect.
6. Living in the Light of Christ’s Return: Finally, Paul reminds us that we should live in anticipation of Christ’s return. This means rejecting sinful behaviors and living holy lives as we look forward to the day of salvation.

Romans 12 and 13 provide practical instructions on how to live as Christians in a world that often does not reflect the values of God’s kingdom. Through these chapters, Paul emphasizes love, humility, unity, and righteousness, all while urging believers to look forward to Christ's return. As Christians today, we can apply these teachings to live out our faith authentically, serving others and shining as lights in a dark world, confident that our salvation is drawing near.