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A Living Sacrifice

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[1] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^[2] (Ps 50:13; Ro 6:13; Ro 6:16; Ro 6:19; 1Co 1:10; 1Co 6:20; 2Co 10:1; Eph 4:1; Heb 10:20; 1Pe 2:5)

Ps 50:13Ro 6:13Ro 6:16Ro 6:191Co 1:101Co 6:202Co 10:1Eph 4:1Heb 10:201Pe 2:5

2 Do not be conformed to this world,^[3] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[4] (Ps 51:10; 2Co 4:16; Eph 4:23; Eph 5:10; Col 3:10; 1Th 4:3; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 1:14; 1Jo 2:15)

Ps 51:102Co 4:16Eph 4:23Eph 5:10Col 3:101Th 4:3Tit 3:51Pe 1:141Jo 2:15

Gifts of Grace

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Ro 1:5; Ro 11:20; Ro 12:16; 1Co 7:17; Eph 4:7)

Ro 1:5Ro 11:20Ro 12:161Co 7:17Eph 4:7

4 For as in one body we have many members,^[5] and the members do not all have the same function, (1Co 12:12; Eph 4:4; Eph 4:16) 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Joh 17:11; 1Co 6:15; 1Co 10:17; 1Co 10:33; 1Co 12:20; 1Co 12:27; Eph 4:13; Eph 4:25)

Joh 17:111Co 6:151Co 10:171Co 10:331Co 12:201Co 12:27Eph 4:13Eph 4:25

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; (Ac 13:1; 1Co 7:7; 1Co 12:4; 1Co 12:7; 1Co 12:10; 2Ti 2:15; 1Pe 4:10)

Ac 13:11Co 7:71Co 12:41Co 12:71Co 12:102Ti 2:151Pe 4:10

7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; (Ac 6:1) 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,^[6] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (1Co 12:28; 2Co 9:7; 1Ti 5:17)

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (Ps 97:10; Ps 101:3; Am 5:15; 2Co 6:6; 1Th 5:21; 1Ti 1:5; 1Pe 1:22)

Ps 97:10Ps 101:3Am 5:152Co 6:61Th 5:211Ti 1:51Pe 1:22

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Ro 13:7; Php 2:3; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 2:17)

Ro 13:7Php 2:3Heb 13:11Pe 2:17

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,^[7] serve the Lord. (Ac 18:25; Ac 20:19) 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Ac 1:14; Ro 5:2; Heb 10:36) 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Mt 25:35; Ro 15:25; 1Co 16:1; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 9:1; 2Co 9:12; 1Ti 6:18; Heb 6:10; Heb 13:16)

Mt 25:35Ro 15:251Co 16:11Co 16:152Co 9:12Co 9:121Ti 6:18Heb 6:10Heb 13:16

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (Mt 5:44; 1Pe 3:9) 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Job 30:25; 1Co 12:26; Heb 13:3) 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^[8] Never be wise in your own sight. (Ps 131:1; Pr 3:7; Jer 45:5; Ro 11:25; Ro 12:3; Ro 15:5; 2Co 13:11; Php 2:2; Php 4:2; 1Pe 3:8)

Ps 131:1Pr 3:7Jer 45:5Ro 11:25Ro 12:3Ro 15:52Co 13:11Php 2:2Php 4:21Pe 3:8

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39; Ro 14:16; Ro 14:19; 2Co 8:21)

Pr 20:22Mt 5:39Ro 14:16Ro 14:192Co 8:21

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Mr 9:50) 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[9] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (De 32:35; Ps 94:1; Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39; Ro 14:19; 1Th 4:6; Heb 10:30)

De 32:35Ps 94:1Pr 20:22Mt 5:39Ro 14:191Th 4:6Heb 10:30

20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Ex 23:4; 2Ki 6:22; Pr 25:21; Lu 6:27)

Ex 23:42Ki 6:22Pr 25:21Lu 6:27

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.