ROMANS UNWRAPPED 202

• "Be of the same mind one toward another"   -   Romans 12v16   -   The expression "one toward another" comes out in many scriptures.   This speaks of the close fellowship we are to have in the things of God with each other.   Romans 15v5-7   "Likeminded one toward one another,"  "receive ye one another,"   Acts 4v32  "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul,"  Philippians 1v27   "Stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."   Philippians 3v16  "Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."   1st Peter 3v8   "Finally be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren,  be pitiful, be courteous."  All this is not to become subservient to each other but to have the same mind in the things of the Lord.  
• "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate, be not wise in your own conceits"   -   Romans 12v16   -   There is little doubt that occupation with the things of God are of the highest order of any studies in the world.   The tendency can be to become intellectually  and spiritually proud.   Whilst occupied with high heavenly things we are to make them practical in the humblest situations of life . Pride is always a bad thing, spiritual pride is the worst of all.   Paul is thus appealing to his readers not to become wise in their own conceits, because the fact is there is nothing we have that we have not been given.   Humbleness of mind must always mark the Christian believer.   Job charged his friends (so called) who tried to explain his situation, with the words "wisdom does not die with us."   Baruch who was the prophet Jeremiah's assistant, got ideas above his station in life and the Lord remonstrated with him  "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not!"  
• "Recompense to no man evil for evil"   -   Romans 12v17   -   Vengeance is not the Christian way.   The seemingly unbreakable cycle of tit for tat must be broken in the Christian.   Paul says in 1st Thessalonians 5v15  "See that none render evil for evil unto to any man."   1st Peter 3v9    "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrary wise blessing; knowing that ye are here unto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."   The fact is that we live in a world of evil, as believers we are not to perpetuate it, we are to break the cycle of evil.  
• "Provide things honest in the sight of all men"   -   Romans 12v17   -   Make plans to achieve all you need in life honestly and not by fraud or deception.   2nd Corinthians 8v21   "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men."    1st Peter 2v12   "  Having your behavior honest among the Gentiles."   1st Thessalonians 4v11-12   "And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
• "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."   -  Romans 12v18   -   The apostle recognizes there may be a measure of difficulty in this given the nature of the world we are living in.   We are to be peacemakers rather than warmongers.   Romans 14v19   "Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace."    Psalm 34v14    "Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it."   1st Corinthians 7v15   "God has called us to peace."   2nd Corinthians 13v11   "Be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you."   Colossians 3v15   "And let the peace of God rule (preside) in your hearts, to which also ye are called.   Hebrews 12v14   "Follow peace with all men."   Other relevant scriptures are James 3v17-18  and 1st Peter 3v11.