Romans 12 to me is like a wonderful garden, full of beauty and delight. It begins in full view of the sunshine of God’s mercy. The will of God is the path that winds through it and the gate to that path is found in abandoning the pattern of the world and being transformed through the renewing of our minds.
Romans 12 reminds us that everything we have and everything we are, is a gift of grace from God, given to us not to make us arrogant or puffed up, but to use for the benefit of all.
Each of us has received differing gifts from God. We are not the same, but we are all uniquely gifted by God; some to prophesy, some to serve, others to teach. Some of us are encouragers, others are givers. Some lead and others bestow mercy. Whatever our gift, we are to do it well.
But a garden cannot grow without water. Without the nourishing showers and streams, a garden will simply dry up and die.
The showers that nourish the garden of Romans 12 can be summed up in one word, “LOVE.” It is LOVE that brings refreshing rain to Romans 12, and it begins simply in verse 9. “Don’t just pretend to LOVE others. Really Love them.” [NLT]
Without LOVE, nothing grows. People, relationships, ministry, everything is stunted and shriveled without LOVE