PROTOCOLS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (4)

Romans 12:16-18

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Titus 2:11-12

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

 

1.    We are taught some broad principles in this verse about living the Christian life.

2.    Those principles are both negative and positive.

a.    Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.

b.    Live soberly, righteously, and godly.

 

B.   Principles are good to understand.  They can be applied to a multitude of behaviors.

 

C.   Sometimes, however, it is good to have details of how we are to live spelled out for us.  Paul does this in Romans 12:9-18. 

1.    We have been studying these principles under the title:  “Protocols of the Christian Life.”

2.    In this lesson, we will look at the final six protocols in this section.  They are found in Romans 12:16-18.

 

I.             BE OF THE SAME MIND ONE TOWARD ANOTHER (Rom. 12:16a)

 

A.   This is what some refer to as a “one another” responsibility.

1.    It is a responsibility that involves reciprocal action.

2.    I am to do this toward you.  You are to do this toward me.

 

B.   The responsibility is to be of the same mind toward each other.

1.    Definition: 

a.    Strong (5426):  sentiment, opinion, to be (mentally) disposed, to interest ones self in

b.    Thayer:  to feel, think, to direct one’s mind toward a thing

c.    Vine:  to be minded in a certain way, to have a moral interest

2.    What we seek and desire for ourselves, we should seek and desire for our brethren.

3.    We should have the “same” interest in every member of the body of Christ.

4.    This can be an extremely difficult command to obey.

a.    Personalities differ.

b.    Interests differ.

c.    Opinions differ.

d.    Cultures differ.

e.    Arguments cause tension.

f.     Socio-economic status’ differ.

g.    Battles for power cause division.

 

C.   The only time we should have trouble doing this is if another will not allow us to be of the same mind toward them.

1.    We attempt, but they put up walls.

2.    For some reason, they do not want us to be close to them and care for them.

3.    The Lord knows who builds walls.  He will hold them accountable for not fulfilling this command.

 

II.           MIND NOT HIGH THINGS, BUT CONDESCEND TO MEN OF LOW ESTATE (Rom. 12:16b)

 

A.   The word for “mind” is the same word we just studied.  Thus, Paul exhorts us not to set our mind toward high things.

 

B.   What are “high things”?

1.    Definition:

a.    Strong (5308):  lofty (in place or character)

b.    Thayer:  imminent, exalted, in influence and honor

c.    Vine:  high, lofty

2.    The best way to understand “high things” is by looking at the contrast in the second half of the verse.  “But condescend to men of low estate.”

3.    High things are people of importance, prominence, position, power, and wealth. 

4.    It is easy to long to gravitate to these individuals. 

a.    We can boast that we are their friends.

b.    We can use their power and influence for our benefit.

c.    We may believe they can help to lift us up to their level.

5.    Paul tells us not to do that.

 

C.   Instead, we are to “condescend to men of low estate.”

a.    Condescend

1)    Strong (4879):  to take off together

2)    Thayer:  to be carried away with

3)    Vine:  to be led along with

b.    Men of low estate

1)    Strong (5011):  depressed, (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances)

2)    Thayer:  not rising from the ground, as a condition, lowly, of low degree

3)    Vine:  things that are lowly

c.    The lowly are the poor, servants, diseased, blind, maimed, deaf, etc.

d.    These are the ones that repel us.  We must fight that instinct and draw near to those individuals.

e.    Jesus did.  He did not hob-nob with the priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees.  He was constantly among those of low estate. (Matt. 11:5).

 

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them.

 

III.         BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN CONCEITS ( Rom. 12:16c)

 

A.   Here Paul issues a simple prohibition.

 

B.   Let’s start by looking at the definition of the term “conceits.”  It simply means yourself.”

 

C.   There are all kinds of things that individuals can use to elevate themselves:  knowledge, skills, age (young and old), personality, riches, pedigree, position, etc. 

1.    These things cause them to think a certain way about themselves. 

2.    They are wise, that is, they know all about themselves. 

3.    What they know is that they are much better than others in certain matters. 

D.   These people are often easy to spot. 

1.    Their opinion of themselves is so high that they cannot wait to display themselves before others.

2.    Two common secular examples:

a.    Talk show hosts will have a guest on their program.  It will be ten-minute segment.  The guest might talk 2 minutes while the host uses eight for himself.

b.    Politicians during investigations.  They will have five minutes to question a witness.  They will spend that five minutes making sure their words are read into the record.  The witness gets to say very little.

 

IV.         RECOMPENSE TO NO MAN EVIL FOR EVIL (Rom. 12:17a)

 

A.   There are people in our world who will treat us improperly.

1.    Ignore us.

2.    Cuss us.

3.    Disrespect us.

4.    Disregard our opinions.

5.    Speak harshly to us.

6.    Seek to ruin our reputation.

7.    Ruin us financially

8.    Physically harm us

 

B.   Our initial reaction is to strike back at them with the same or even greater force.  We want to “fight fire with fire.”

 

C.   Paul commands us not to do this.  “Recompense to no man evil for evil.”

1.    Recompense:

a.    Strong (591):  to give back

b.    Thayer:  to give back, to requite

c.    Vine:  to give back

2.    It is not our job to pay someone back for the evil they have done to us.

3.    Argument:  “But that is not fair.  It means that evil gets to triumph.”

4.    Answer:  This is not the case.  It our next lesson, we will learn how the Lord deals with those who commit evil against us.

5.    NOTE:  Jesus is again our example (1 Pet. 2:23)

 

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

 

D.   Before we leave this point, we need to stress the words “no man.” 

 

V.           PROVIDE THINGS HONEST IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN (Rom. 12:17b)

 

A.   Honest:

1.    Strong (2570):  literally, beautiful, good (morally), valuable, virtuous

2.    Thayer:  beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

3.    Vine:  honorable

 

B.   When we think of honesty, we usually think of saying things that are true.  This is a part of honesty.

 

C.   Honesty, however, really involves everything that we do.

1.    Our behaviors should be beautiful, valuable, and excellent.

2.    Finances of homes, businesses, and organizations should be virtuous and admirable.

3.    Our recreation should be useful, suitable, and good (morally).

 

D.   Again, we must emphasize that we are to provide things honest in the sight of “all men.”  Not just our parents.  Not just our teachers.  Not just the preacher or elders.  Be beautiful in character and virtue everywhere you go and with all those with whom you come in contact.

 

VI.         IF IT BE POSSIBLE, AS MUCH AS LIETH IN YOU, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN (Rom. 12:18)

 

A.   The responsibility of this verse is to “live peaceably with all men.”

1.    Peaceably

a.    Strong (1514):  to be peaceful

b.    Thayer:  to cultivate and keep peace, harmony

c.    Vine:  to bring peace

2.    No Christian should be a troublemaker, fault-finder, brawler, reviler, judge, insurrectionist, agitator, busybody, heretic, or divisive person.

 

B.   There are two qualifiers put on this protocol.

1.    “As much as lieth in you” live peaceably.

a.    We are to put in as much effort as we possibly can to keep peace.

b.    Paul tells us that we are to “endeavor” to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

2.    Paul begins this section with the words:  “If it be possible” live peaceably with all men.

a.    Some individuals will not allow us to have peace with them.

b.    Some are born in the objective mood and with a kickative spirit.

c.    In these circumstances, we need to set our boundaries with the individuals.  We will not allow them to draw us into strife and conflict.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In the course of four lessons, we have examined 20 protocols of the Christian life.

1.    They deal with self.

2.    They deal with unique subgroups.

3.    They deal with our relationship with each other.

4.    They deal with how we are to handle those who are evil doers.

 

B.   The Christian life involves every aspect of our lives.  God wants His word to permeate our behavior in every aspect of life and every relationship we sustain with others.

 

C.   There are no excuses and no justifications that will free us from the obligations we have to live the Christian life.