I’ve made it a point to read the Bible through at least once a year, and quite often more frequently than that. I love the big-picture look at things. It helps me understand the details when I go into it more deeply. I’m especially fond of the chronological approach. If you want to get the best understanding of the overall flow of God’s story, that’s definitely the way to go.
And every time I come up on the end of the Bible, I wonder to myself just how I can approach it the next time around. I know the biggest danger of reading the Bible straight through (other than just giving up) is the possibility of racing through it without really paying any attention. Now, back in the days when I used to teach a weekly Bible study, this wasn’t that big a problem. I would still get a portion of the Bible and study it in more detail to prepare for the week’s lesson. But I’ve been out of that business for more than two years now, so the question of “what’s next?” that comes up every time I finish was a little more important this time around – especially since I did a straight-through reading at break-neck speed and finish Genesis to Revelation in 56 days at the start of the year.
So I decided I’d work through the New Testament again a little more slowly.
And it’s paying off. I’m reading and rereading passages. I’m thinking things through. I’m even – like I am here – taking some time to write about what I read. I’m really enjoying it.
I find things like I did today. I read Romans 12 this morning. I’ve always liked Romans 12:18 – it really sums up a worthwhile philosophy of life for anyone: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” But this morning, I had to jumpstart my reading a bit. I started the chapter and then found my mind wandering to something else by the third verse. So I did something I wouldn’t normally do when reading through the Bible – I started over. And by the third verse, the mind was wandering again. So I started again.
I’d say by the fourth time I started to get the flow of it. And although I’ve always recognized the chapter (not that the division is in the original letter, but I think in this case it’s pretty well separated as a body of thought) for that 18th verse, I really caught a better overall theme today.
Using my own words, it said, “You can worship God by giving of your very selves as his living hands to others. Don’t give in to what the world tells you believe, but reflect on and discern all that God is telling you. Let yourself be transformed by that. And then go out and live like it.”
And then Paul gets into the beautiful specifics: Don’t think too much of yourself! Accept and use the particular gifts you have been given to build up others. Hold onto that which is good. Honor each other and love even those who oppose you and hate you. Live peaceably with everyone and let God take care of the rough stuff (you’re vastly unqualified to do that!). “Overcome evil with good!”
The whole chapter is a master lesson in living the Christian life. It’s almost embarrassing how awful we can be at it when it’s laid out so perfectly for us – not as a checklist, but as a description of what our lives should look like.
So I’m going to leave you with this to ponder today…and you wouldn’t be wrong to ponder it every day: Romans chapter 12. I’d much rather be that…
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, 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.
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. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12