jam packed

This is another one of those chapters written by Paul to the followers of Jesus in Rome that is just so jam packed with all kinds of stuff.

Read it slowly & more than once.

So much stuff to think about &/or hang on to.

There are so many things is these 1 verses that we could spend a lifetime trying to implement in our lives.

And some of the things listed here by Paul would take a lifetime of effort to make a part of our psyche & behavior.

In my Bible there's more verses underlined than not underlined. I haven't underlined any so that anyone reading this can sense their own emphasis led by the Holy Spirit.

Prepare to be challenged – I am every time I read it...

Romans 12

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.

Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable.

When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?

2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,

but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

  3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning:

Don't think you are better than you really are.

Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,5 so it is with Christ's body.

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

  6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well.

If you are a teacher, teach well.

8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.

If it is giving, give generously.

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.

And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

  9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them.

Hate what is wrong.

Hold tightly to what is good.

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12 Be glad for the things God is planning for you.

Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.

  14 Bless those who persecute you.

Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with each other.

Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

And don't think you know it all!

  17 Never pay back evil with more evil.

Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

  19 Dear friends, never take revenge.

Leave that to the righteous anger of God.

For the Scriptures say,

"I will take revenge;
  I will pay them back,"*
  says the LORD.

20 Instead,

"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
  If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
  burning coals of shame on their heads."*

21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.