Romans Chapters 12 - 13 - 14
Publication Date: 1973
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
Romans 12, 13, 14
Lesson 14
As we close the eleventh chapter:
Romans 11:36:
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
That settles all of that greatness of those three chapters. Now, we get into the practical
application. The practical application of all of the great truths of Romans. And he says: I
beseech you. And to beseech is like begging people. You know, man I just beg you to do so
and so. It’s a “beseech you therefore, brethren.”
Romans 12:1:
...by the mercies [or because of the mercies] of God, that ye present your bodies
[yourself] a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
[or religious] service.
After all of this that you have learned in the first eleven chapters of Romans, honestly,
what should a Christian be doing? They should present their bodies a living sacrifice, not a
dead one, but a living one. A living what? Sacrifice, that means you lay yourself on the line.
Remember, we become broken bread until they learn to break their own bread. We let them
walk on our feet until they learn to walk on their own feet. You got to be able to take it
when you’re out on the field, right. This business of copping out, this is an easy place to
live here at International. This is duck soup living here. And if you think the pressure is
tough here. Lord, you ought to just come to me and say I don’t think I got the ability to
stand the Corps. Then you ought to go home. No disgrace going home. You can carpenter,
you can wash dishes, you can do a lot of things. But if you’re going to be a leader in the
Way Ministry and hold forth the greatness of God’s Word as a leader in that ministry, and
by the way there’s no requirement that after you finish the Corps you have to be a branch
leader or a limb leader. No requirement that you have to go full time, that’s right. We’ll
keep that record straight too. Sure, I think you’re qualified and you ought to want to, but if
you don’t want to, you don’t have to. You can go back any place you want to, get a job, do
anything you want to do. Doesn’t say in the rules and regulation of the ballgame that you
have to. It says that you will be equipped to go anywhere. I think that’s what it says Craig
Martindale? What’s that [Corps Principle] point number 5?
[Students:] Go forth as leaders and workers in areas of concern, interest, and need.
Right, if you want to. It’s an objective, that’s right. Doesn’t mean that just because you
get in the Corps you have to but that’s the objective that you’re capable of doing. But you
can’t do it unless your body is a living sacrifice. You’ve got to be able to drive yourself to
that point. See? That’s the least we can do.
166 Romans Corps Teachings
Romans 12:2:
And be not conformed to this world:...
That doesn’t mean you hate the world you live in. It just says you don’t let that stupid
world dog you. You’re not controlled by the world situations or by what people think.
You’re transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 (continued):
...transformed by the renewing of the mind, that ye may prove [by the renewing of
the mind, not being conformed to this world, that you may prove] what is that
good, and acceptable, and [the] perfect, will of [what?] God.
That’s what we got to prove. We know it from Romans chapter 1-11. Now he says our
religious service to God is that we’re not conformed to this world. About every Christian
you’ll ever run into is always conformed to this world. He’s conditioned by what the world
says, he’ll operate according to what the world says. He’ll play his spiritual politics
according to what the world says. We don’t. We’re transformed by the renewing of the
mind. And live in this world and live right on top of it. In the midst of hell, we’ll have a
barrel of fun. That’s right. You’ve got to get that way! That doesn’t mean you’re not going
to have moments when you’re going to suffer persecution. Because some place in the Word
it says if you’re going to walk, you have a few. But is it going to cop you out? You know
how long you’re going to dwell on that? Just long enough to raise hell about it and tell the
devil where the problems all are and you’re tired of it and then you’re going to be over it.
That’s right. You noticed how sick I was regarding some situation the Way Ministry
Sunday night when I start teaching? You know how long it lasted? Just till I got it out and
told the people I had made up my mind God’s word stands and that was it. By that time I
had forgotten about it, come hell or high water it didn’t bother me one lousy bit. Because
we’re transformed by the renewing of the mind and then we’re able to prove, prove what is
good and acceptable and the perfect will of God. We’ve got to prove what is good, perfect
and acceptable will of God, we’ve got to do it. And you don’t wait on your friends to help
you do it. You do it by the power of God in you. You get your people’s cooperation,
wonderful, if you get, praise the Lord. If you don’t you still do what? Hold it forth.
Romans 12:3:
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you,...to
think soberly,...
To think soberly – that means to think straight. To think soberly is to think with a
logical mind. You know, logical. Think soberly
Romans 12:3 (continued):
...think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
And the measure of faith is the faith of Jesus Christ. That’s what he’s dealt to every
man. “Not to think more highly than he ought to think,” in essence means don’t think
crooked junk. Think right on. See, they use this phrase to cut you down. They’ll say look,
how can you be so right? I’ve listened to that a million times: Wierwille, how can you be
so right and everyone else be so wrong? Don’t ask me that stupid question, ask them.
That’s right. Right, ask them, don’t ask me. All we’re doing is reading the Word. You’ll see
it again, Sunday morning when you’re all going to listen to television and radio (don’t let
me forget that to sign all of this Craig), that’s right, from bright and early and if that don’t
turn you on Sunday mornings, it’s the birthday of the church people. The time for which
the new birth came and you just watch them handle that stuff. Suppose they say to you
“Well, Terry, how come you’re so right and everybody else is so wrong?” You say, “Well,
you figure it out, don’t bother me with it.” That’s the kind of stuff the world will
understand but happens ordinarily they’ll say, “Honey watch out, you’ve gone flat on your
nose because you’re proud.” That false pride when you wrongly divide the Word is killing.
It is not pride when you’re telling the truth of God’s Word, that’s the truth of God’s Word.
Pride is pride; soup is soup. There is no pride in the truth of God’s Word, that’s the truth of
it. And I want to tell you, I’m real proud of the fact that I can tell the truth. If that’s what
pride is, yes sir. But it isn’t the kind they’re talking about, because that kind of pride will
never let you down. I think we need to get some pride in the fact that we’re Christian and
that Word of God is the Word of God. You bet your life. But they rest this thing out of its
context in a lack of understanding. And they get to say, “Well, now, don’t think more
highly of yourself than you ought to think, because if you do, you’ll go flat on your snozzle
(or something).” Well so what if you went on your snozzle, you get up and walk again.
They’ve been on their nose sliding along for centuries, that’s why it’s all worn off to their
eyeballs. See, that’s right. They use it to degrade you, the adversary uses it to make you
feel badly. Well look, you know where all of that stuff comes from, get the adversary off
your back. Get him off your back. Deal with him like Walter teaches in Dealing with the
Adversary, deal with him. Quote him a few verses. Now, according as God has dealt to
every man the measure of faith which is the faith of Jesus Christ. Now, with verse four, he
starts showing how this will live efficaciously in different members in the body differently.
Romans 12:4:
For as we have many members in one body [You know, the fingers, the nose, the
eyes, the hands, the arms, the legs, many members in one body], and all members
have not the same [function, the word “office” is function]:
They don’t all have the same function.
Romans 12:5:
So we,...many [believers, born again of God’s spirit], are one body in [who?]
Christ, and every one members one of [what?] another.
That’s right. You got the physical body and the Christian body now, how simple that is.
Verse 6:
Romans 12:6, 7:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of believing;
Or ministry, let us...[minister]: or he that teacheth, [on what?] on teaching;
You see? According to the proportion of, what? {Believing.} Why is it possible for
Vince to believe for something that Doug can not believe for, you know as efficaciously,
maybe the way he came from the factory (I don’t know) genetically, environmentally.
What happened to him in kindergarten, high school, college, I don’t know. All I know is
168 Romans Corps Teachings
that there’s a variation in believing among people. One person will believe for something
he or she can do. Somebody else will believe for something else, that’s how the whole
body is put together. See, often think about this when it comes to a consistency in believing,
for instance, for deliverance in healing, Dotsy is much more consistent in that then I am. I
hit peaks; there’s sometimes I just absolutely know that I know that I know. Other times, I
play along in the misty flats, that’s right. But that little Dotsy, you just listen to her on the
phone when people call in, she just lays the Word on them, just consistently. Her believing
in that category is at this place. See it? A lot of things. I can go through the Corps. I’ve
known you long enough to know some of these things about you. You see? Terry can not
be Mimi. Mimi’s got an awful time being like Terry. Matter of fact Mimi has an awful time
being like Mimi once in a while. You see, because people are always comparing
themselves to somebody else. Well, quit comparing yourself. Walk on the Word that works
effectively on your life and build that. You don’t have to be like V.P., praise the Lord, and
praise God I don’t have to be like Joe Colter or Ken or Duke. That’s right, because Joe is
Joe, Phil is Phil, Terry’s Terry, Vince is Vince. But we’re all members of what?
[Students:] One body.
That’s what he’s talking about. You don’t compare yourself one to another. The only
good piece of work that’s ever been done in Romans on translating these verse is in this
holy spirit book as far as I know. If I knew any more, we’d tear these out and put new
sheets in. For as we have members in one body – this page 192 in Receiving the Holy Spirit
[Today], tomorrow morning.
Romans 12:4-8:
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same
office [or function]:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every member one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of [believing];
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching.
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
It says [Receiving the Holy Spirit Today, p. 193]:
The verses just quoted are the same charismata spiritual ability given by God to man,
becoming doma ministries in the church as the believer operates them. Chapter twelve of
Romans from verse 4 on gives the operator and believer specific instructions, not only as
to the ministries, but also as to the conduct of his own life....According to usage, the
following verses in Romans 12 should read:
[Romans 12:6] “You, then, in the Church, having charismata, spiritual abilities and
functions, differing according to the divine favor or friendly willingness of God that is
given you, if it be a ministry of prophecy, keep busy manifesting by prophesying according
to the proportion of your believing.”
Romans 12:7, “Or if you have another type of ministry, get busy ministering; Or if
your ministry is teaching, get busy teaching; And if you have an exhortation ministry, get
busy exhorting.”
Romans 12:8 should now begin: “He that giveth forth in any ministry in the Church let
him do it with simplicity; he that has a ruling ministry” [and that we’re going to be in on
chapter 13 later], “let him do it with diligence; and he that has a ministry making very
adept in mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.”
All the instructions following these verses are on behavior, which is conduct. How to
conduct yourself. Now, there are five ministries: apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc. by
grace this way down. But when you serve the body of believers, even though you aren’t an
apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher or pastor, if you were serving the ministry this way,
you still would be ministering to the believers, context. These five ministries are ruling
ministries in the church. The ministry of service to the body of believers is available and
should be carried out by all born again Christians. He who is ministering in mercy, at
Mercy Hospital or some place, let him do it with what? Cheerfulness, see? It’s a ministry.
Sometimes just holding somebody’s hand or putting your arms around their shoulders and
telling them God loves them is a ministry of mercy. Just to say to someone, “Well, God
loves you and I do, makes a majority” as a ministry. I think we get stars in our eyes, or
idealism or something and we think if we can’t do it that way, then we might as well do
nothing, bologna. Verse 9:
Romans 12:9:
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; [and] cleave to that
which is good.
Love in all sincerity. Love in all sincerity without dissimilation means to love in all
sincerity. You know, you could love and not be sincere about it. That would be the
counterfeit trip, you know, where you just say, “I love you” but you really don’t mean it. If
you’re going to tell somebody that you love them, love them, in sincerity, with the love of
Christ, understand?
Romans 12:10:
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;...
Let love for our brothers have a warmth of mutual affection – have a warmth of
mutual affection.
Romans 12:10 (continued):
...in honour preferring one another;
God first, my brother second, myself last. I’m willing to be third. That’s what he’s
talking about. And having understood everything that God has made available through the
first eleven chapters of Romans, we should have no problem with this. To love God first, to
love my brother, my sister in the Lord, no problem. I think I was telling John and Naomi
this afternoon. Yes, it was John and Naomi Townsend. From a worldly point of view, you
can do a man good ninety-nine times and then you miss it once; they’ll remember the once
and forget the ninety-nine. Don’t you be like that. That’s the world trip. You’ll see a lot of
it among Christians. You know, you can just bleed your heart out and then make a mistake
once and not even be cognizant of it or do it deliberately, but you did something that they
don’t think it’s right and maybe it wasn’t right and man they chuck you. They’ll burn you
at the stake. They forget the ninety-nine times you dug them up out of the soup. Verse 11:
Romans 12:11:
Not slothful in business;...
What does Bullinger do with that “slothful in business”? What’s he do in his center
reference? What’s he do in his stuff? What’s it say? Read that again.
[Student:] Do not delay or waste time in putting forth effort in whatever is your function
in serving the Lord.
Read it again. Okay, do not delay or waste time, that’s what this is basically all about.
Do not delay or waste time (now read the rest) putting forth effort (go on), in putting forth
effort in whatever is your function (go on) in serving the Lord. A good business man will
apply that principle and he wont be slothful in, what? But it’s business of the Lord that is
what we’re talking about. Don’t cop out. Don’t blow it. Don’t mess it up. This is the
conduct; this is how you walk.
Romans 12:12:
Rejoicing in hope [or hope keeps you rejoicing];...
The Hope of the Return of Christ keeps you rejoicing.
Romans 12:12 (continued):
...patient in tribulation [in tribulation stand firm];...
The patience does not mean endure it. It means stand firm. In the midst of persecution
or tribulation, what do you do? Stand firm, that’s right.
Romans 12:12 (continued):
...continuing instant in prayer;
In other words, continuing to pray. And as I see this thing, this would be basically,
prayer in the spirit. You know, you can’t be patient in tribulation in the terminology that we
use the word “patience.” Another words, just endure it, stand it? No, no, no, no – stand
firm in that tribulation, declare what the Word of God declares.
Romans 12:13:
Distributing to the necessity of saints;...
Which literally means, to share with God’s people. Practicing hospitality, in other
words, being hospitable to the saints.
Romans 12:14:
Bless them which persecute you:...
They persecute you and you say “God bless you” and you have blessed them. You see,
he was telling us, stand fast in what? In verse 12 there is firm and tribulation. And just say,
“Well, bless you.” People the adversary is going to kick you, no question about it. You
determine the direction you’re going to go. That’s right. Most people will cop out over the
persecution; they will settle for less. But if you make up your mind that the persecution
instead of causing you to default is going to send you a certain direction that will make
your head like steel, honey. It will be good for you; won’t hurt you at all. Just make you
stronger the next time.
Romans 12:15 (not KJV):
You rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
You know what that means? Become all things unto all men. If someone’s happy
having a happy time, you get happy with them. If someone’s having a memorial service,
you get memorial with them. You’ve got to go down to where the people are you have to
be with the people. That’s what he’s talking about.
Romans 12:16:
Be of the same mind one toward another...
And that’s a “toughy” – to so renew your mind and put on the mind of Christ, be
transformed that you do not treat Vince better then you treat Elaine. Or treat Elaine better
than you treat Terry. Or treat Kurt better than you treat Phil, treat Suzie worse than you
treat Mimi. No, no, no no – you’ve got to be so transformed by the renewed mind that you
have no favorites because everybody is your favorite. No special favorites. And if you
haven’t learned anything else in the Corps in two years, you should’ve learned that I just
don’t have any special favorites. I know at times some of you think so, but you don’t know
it yet. Right, look at my Suzie, I just told her a little while ago what I thought about her
getting in here on Monday morning, right? See? Because I think she was wrong she wasn’t
in here. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love my Suzie; well, I think she’s the greatest in the
world. That’s what I think of all the rest of all of you too, see? You can’t play favorites.
And what always happens in the church as I’ve seen it, somebody’s always gotten favorites,
you know. Bologna, that’s right. Be ye transformed by the renewing – present yourself a
living sacrifice, this is your religious service; you can’t play favorites. Now there may be
some people you like to be with better than others. But that still doesn’t mean you’re
playing favorites. Be of the same thing. Verse 16:
Romans 12:16 (continued):
...Mind not high things,...
Don’t think how smart you are is what it means.
Romans 12:16 (continued):
...but condescend to men of low estate....
That’s sure a bunch of bologna, see? Fellowship with the humble is what it means.
Those who are humble, those who have the type of humility, that’s where you fellowship.
Boy, my center reference says be contented with mean things. Is that what yours says, too?
[CROSSTALK]
Romans 12:16 (continued):
...Be not wise in your own conceits.
Don’t go around telling how smart you are. Isn’t that something? Be of the same mind.
Look at the beauty of this conduct, people: our walk, same mind one toward another. Don’t
mind haughty things, don’t go for that stuff. Be with people of humility. Don’t act so smart
that you’re so all wise in your own conceit.
Romans 12:17:
Recompense to no man evil for evil....
In other words, don’t sock them in the eyeballs.
Romans 12:17 (continued):
...Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
You see, provide things honest in the sight of all men. We all know what that means.
Verse 18:
Romans 12:18:
If it be possible...
And sometimes it’s not possible. That’s right, it says if it’s possible. There are just
some people who don’t want to live at peace with you. Then what are you going to do
about it? Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. But if all possible:
Romans 12:18 (continued):
...live peaceably with all men.
Whenever possible, live at peace with them. But if somebody wants to fight you go
tell them to join the army or do something. But you can’t stop them if they want to be
embittered toward you. You can’t stop them, but you can bless them. Say, “God bless you.”
Heap coals of fire on their head, do something. But as much as possible live at peace with,
what? Right, but boy if you can’t, you better get them out of the fold or you go out some
place and do something.
Romans 12:19:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves [don’t seek revenge], but rather give place
unto wrath:
Don’t avenge yourself but rather give place unto wrath. In context ,the reason you do
this is because “vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Let the Lord do the
judging of that man or women’s life. Let Him do it. You can quote him the Word but let the
Lord do the judging of it. See? Verse 20:
Romans 12:20, 21:
If [your] enemy [is hungry], feed him; if [he’s thirsty], give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil,...
Which literally means: don’t let evil control you, conquer you.
Romans 12:21 (continued):
...but overcome evil with good.
Use that good to defeat all the evil. This “heaping coals of fire on your head” is that
great Orientalism, you know, keeps your head warm. Warms up your head. Boy, isn’t this a
wonderful chapter? How it sets the conduct of the believer who has had the revelation of
the first eleven chapters knowledgeable to him? How the church walks, how the believers
walk. Barnabas and Paul as much as lieth in you live, what? {Peaceably.} With all, what?
{Men.} They couldn’t live peaceably with each other so what did they do? Split. Barnabas
took Mark, I think, and Paul took Silas. But that didn’t mean they were swearing at each
other all week. They just deliberately said look we can’t get it together now you go your
way, I’ll go mine. We’ll do the best we can with the Word of God. Later on Barnabas and
Paul get back together and Mark and Silas and the rest of them, get them back together,
and Timothy, see? As much as possible live peaceably with all men. It’s really something.
Don’t render evil for evil.
Thirteenth chapter of Romans. Here is a chapter that they wrest out of context again,
and they relate it back to the government of a country rather than the government of the
church. This thirteenth chapter deals with the conduct of where we had gifts earlier in the
twelfth chapter of this book of Romans. Here now it goes to a portion of this chapter (at
least goes to a portion) of the greatness of the higher powers.
Romans 13:1:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers....
These higher powers are powers of rulership and authority in the church as apostles,
prophets, evangelists, teachers or pastors.
Romans 13:1 (continued):
For there is no power [what power? The higher power, the powers of rulership,
authority] but of God:...
Those ministries are gifts of grace of God.
Romans 13:1 (continued):
...the powers that be are [ordered] ordained, set in order, [apostles, prophets,
evangelists, teachers, pastors] of God.
Romans 13:2:
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power [what power? The ordained or the
ordered powers the higher powers of God], resisteth the ordinance of God: and
they that resist shall [lambanō to themselves judgment] receive to themselves
[judgment].
This chapter has absolutely nothing to do with the President of the United States or
Hitler, or Khrushchev or Tito, or whatever it is. Right. Billy Graham just it did a few
months ago, took this thirteenth chapter and said how we were in authority to the President
of the United States. That’s a bunch of bologna. Now I’m not denying the power of the
President. He can be Commander in Chief, that’s okay with me, but that has nothing to do
with the thirteenth chapter of Romans. That’s the only thing I’m talking about. Sure, he’s
Commander in Chief, he’s President of the United States. And if he walked in here now,
I’d stand. So would you. But that still doesn’t got anything with the thirteenth chapter of
Romans. Now, just because theologians and the rest of these commentaries and the rest of
them have erroneously rested out of its context you got to keep the chapter 12 and all of
these things working together, else you can’t fit this Word. And the Word of God has to fit
like a hand in a glove.
Romans 13:3:
For rulers...
What rulers? The higher powers rulers ordained of God. Now if that ruler of God
walks according to the chapter 12, remember that, some of the stuff we talked about where
you have the same mind one toward another, all of these other things. Is he going to be
honest? Is he going to be loving? Is he going to in love prefer one to another, is he going to
be charitable, is he going to try to live at peace as much as possible with all men?
Definitely, it’s wonderful to have these in the church, see? They’re not in the church to
raise hell. They’re not in there to lord it over people. They are there to lift up the body to
get the weakest baby strong in believing. That’s what they’re there for.
Romans 13:3 (continued):
...For rulers [higher powers, ordered by God – rulers] are not a terror to good
works, but to [what?]...evil [to the bologna trips]. Wilt thou then not be afraid of
the [authority]?...
If you do evil, you ought to be afraid.
Romans 13:3c, 4:
...Do that which is good, and thou shalt have [what?] praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good.
I don’t know how you can get it plainer.
Romans 13:4 (continued):
...but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:...
What sword? The Word of God. Not a Damascus steel trip.
Romans 13:4 (continued):
...for he is the minister of God [the second time in one verse], a revenger to
execute wrath [or justice] upon him that doeth evil.
He corrects him, he brings him around by the Word.
Romans 13:5 (KJV):
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath [in other words, because
you’ve been evil], but also for conscience sake.
That verse 5, I want to see what New English does with that. What’s it do?
Romans 13:5 (New English):
That is why you are obliged to submit. It is an obligation imposed not merely by
fear of retribution but by conscience.
I don’t understand that either. Look, you’re subject unto higher powers not because of
the evil, but because of your conscience. Conscience is habit pattern and you have built in
your mind the respect for the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelist, teachers and
pastors. That’s what it’s talking about.
Romans 13:6, 7a:
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: [and that tribute also, should be abundant
sharing.] for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues:...
There’s a lot of learning that has to go on in the body of believers with respect for the
ministries, in the body. But now let’s say a man has a ministry in the body and he doesn’t
operate chapter 12, then there’s something wrong with him. Then the elder minister ought
to be taking the younger minister and setting him down and say, “Now look man,” got it?
Do you understand that?
Romans 13:7a:
Render therefore to all their dues:...
In other words, the proper respect, the proper recognition, the needs that they have that
they are ministered to by the believers. Then he uses this phrase:
Romans 13:7b, 8a:
...tribute to whom tribute...; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear
[reverence to whom reverence]; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man anything [don’t owe anything],...
Because of the abundant sharing you really don’t owe anything then to any man. Share
abundantly with the ministries. And to do, what? Love one another. Isn’t that something?
That’s the family.
Romans 13:8 (continued):
...love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the [what?] law.
Right. And that’s the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. When it’s in operation
according to 12 of Romans.
Romans 13:9:
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal,
Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other
commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself.
Look what he did with the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, he covers all of
verse 9, all of the Old Testament commandments are all covered and in verse 10:
Romans 13:10:
...worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
That’s the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation being transformed by the
renewing of your mind. That is a fantastic love. It’s love without dissimilation, it’s love
without bitterness, it’s love without any favorites, it’s just love. It’s the sweetest thing this
side of heaven. And that love is not smother love. You know, where you just slobber over
somebody. It isn’t that kind of thing. It is love at times that has teeth in it. Correction,
reproof, instruction in righteousness, had it earlier in here. Verse 11:
Romans 13:11:
...Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:...
Boy, you would like to cry that around the world. They’re all asleep at the switch.
They act so darned religious and go to church every Easter. Sound asleep, when it comes to
the accuracy of the Word and the ministries in the body. Why half of the denominations
believe that there aren’t any apostles. I’d say 99% don’t believe it, that there are any
apostles today or prophets. They say there are evangelists Billy Graham, I’m not convinced.
That’s right.
Romans 13:11 (continued):
...for now is our [wholeness] nearer than when we believed.
Boy, he talked about hope, remember that earlier tonight, in the chapter?
Romans 13:12:
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the armour of [what?] light.
Put on the whole armor of God, and that armor is light. That armor is light, it’s so
bright the devil can’t see. Reflects in his eyeballs or something, tremendous.
Romans 13:13 (KJV):
Let us walk [decently and in order], as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness,...
See, if somebody wants to march on Washington, let them march.
Romans 13:13 (KJV continued):
...not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Verse 13, what does English do with it?
Romans 13:13 (New English):
Let us behave with decency as befits the day: no reveling or drunkenness, no
debauchery or vice, no quarrels or jealousies!
That’s fair. Now, let us walk honestly as in the day. Why? Because of the light. Let’s
walk honestly. Sometimes there’s a difference between walking honestly on the Word and
walking honestly as to what people think you ought to walk on. First thing you do is walk
on the Word and as much as possible try to live peaceably with, what? {All men.} That’s it.
Now, it tells you in verse 14:
Romans 13:14:
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not [provisions] for the flesh, to
fulfill the lusts thereof.
And lust is a lot more than just having an extra sexual passion at ten after seven.
That’s right. Lust is a lot more because you can lust after a lot of things besides a man or a
woman. Material things in the world, lots of other stuff. And I’ve taught you lust begins,
where need ceases. Put you on the Lord Jesus Christ. And to put it on is in the category the
renewed mind that we started out in verse 2, we’re to present ourselves a living sacrifice of
chapter 12 verse 2, and be transformed by the renewing of our what? {Minds.} And not to
be conformed to this world. That doesn’t mean you’re not going to enjoy living in the
world. These people always say, they’re in a hurry to die or something for the Return of
Christ. I think that’s a cop out. I think we’re awaiting the Return of Christ but we’re
enjoying life now, because of the abundance of the Word that dwells within us. If you kids
are so tired of living, why don’t you commit Harakiri. You’re not tired of living. You’re
just enthused about the privilege of being alive and being in the fight. We know it’s a good
fight, a lot of fun, that’s right. The joy of believing, it says something about some place in
the Word. The joy of believing, to be able to conquer, to be more than conquerors, to have
a life that’s more than abundant, when all about you, everybody else has everything else,
then abundance. Boy, it’s a real trip. Put you on the Lord Jesus Christ and just don’t pay
any attention to the lousy flesh trips everybody else is on. Make no provision for that
category. Chapter 14:
Romans 14:1:
Him that is in the faith receive ye,...
In other words, if he’s born again of God’s spirit receive ye. (What’s the problem? Sue,
Craig, Sunny, what’s the problem? [CROSSTALK] Okay.)
Romans 14:1, 2a (not KJV):
Him that is in the faith [the family, the body of believers], receive ye, not to
doubtful reasonings [not to argue with].
For one believeth that he may eat everything: another, who is weaker...
And it doesn’t mean “weak” in the sense that he hasn’t any strength. Another one, who
has different ideas:
Romans 14:2b, 3a (not KJV):
...thinks he ought to just eat [what?] herbs.
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not;...
Boy this chapter 14, 15, and 16 (and especially this chapter 14), talking about the
conduct of the fellow believers, really something. Let’s say we’re eating what we think is
all organic food. Somebody else comes in he doesn’t want to eat organic food....That’s not
going to make me love him any less, that’s right. Because if I didn’t apply that principle I’d
be outside of the ministry that God’s called me to. Because then I wouldn’t be walking
charitably, lovingly.
Romans 14:3:
Let not him that eateth despise him that [what?] eateth not; and let not him which
eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
In other words, he’s my brother or my sister in the Lord. You see, first things first. I
think food is very important. But I think the Word of God is more important than food.
Because all of the great organic food in the world is never going to give you eternal life.
Spark plugs will still short out. So,
Romans 14:4-6:
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master [to God] he
standeth or [what?] falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make
him stand [Because, he’s born again].
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day....Let
every man be fully assured in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the
day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he
giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth
God thanks.
You see what he’s building is that God comes first. In the body of believers God
comes first and all of these other things are really secondary. And you don’t argue about
them.
Romans 14:7, 8:
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the
Lord: [wherefore] we live therefore, or die, we are [what?] the Lord’s.
That’s the point. “For to this end,” that we be the Lord’s – that we’re the Lord’s.
Romans 14:9:
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both
of the dead and [the] living.
Not the Lord of the dead who are alive now but the Lord of the dead at the time of the
resurrection and those who are living now, he’s our Lord. Don’t you see it?
Romans 14:10-12:
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?
For we shall all stand before the [bēma seat of God – that’s the text. Christ has no
judgment seat, God does].
For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give [an] account of himself to God.
“Every one of us shall give [an] account of himself to God,” not to my fellow
Christian. Every man shall give an account of himself to his master, not to the servant,
remember verse 4? And that account that I have to give of myself to God, you have to give
of yourself to God. That judgment is a judgment of works. Not unto condemnation but
unto rewards. Salvation is to grace, the reward is of merit.
Romans 14:13-18:
Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man
put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself:
but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is [what?] unclean.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.
[Ruin] not him [by] thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your [freedom] be evil spoken of:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and
joy through [pneuma hagion].
For he that in these things serveth Christ is [well-pleasing] to God, and approved
of men.
Not the men of the unbelievers but the man in the body of believers. I’m going to read
all of this and then I’m going to tell you about it.
Romans 14:19-23:
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for [what?] peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for
that man who eateth with offence.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy
brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou believing? Have it to thyself before [whom?] God. Happy is he that
condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
[But] he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith [or out of
believing, he doesn’t eat by believing]: for whatsoever is not of [believing] is
[what?] sin.
There it is; that’s a heavy. That’s renewed mind that hardly any Christian has that I’ve
seen. It’s really something. First and foremost you never please yourself. You always
please the other believer. So let’s say that if I did something. Well, what am I going to do? I
want to dance. And my dancing in public would offend Vince Finnegan, and if I knew this,
what would I do? I just wouldn’t dance in public. But if I’m in my house and I want to
dance, you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to dance my fool head off. And if he
sticks his nose into my house and doesn’t like it that’s his fault. Because now, he has
stepped out of this place over here and come into my domain and in that domain he’s
supposed to eat what I set before him with thanksgiving. But out in the body of believers,
and kids there are many things that you can’t do in public that you as a Christian believer
can do in your own life in private, because what you do there is your business before God;
but boy when you’re out in public, it’s the business of all of the Body. That’s right. Now,
you’re not being a counterfeit, you’re not hiding anything, you’re just walking with the
wisdom of the Word being transformed by the renewing of the mind. For instance some of
you have seen me sit in this auditorium and I sit down and I’ll smoke in here. And I’m the
only fellow that ever smokes in this place. I would no more think of doing this on a Sunday
night that you could shake a stick at, that’s right. Everybody understand this, but nobody
wants to practice it. You all know it, it’s as simple as A, B, C. And every Christian believer
has to be able to operate within the confines of his believing. But that believing can not be
at the expense of the other bodies of the believers. It said in verse 22:
Romans 14:22:
[If you have believing] Hast thou believing? have it for thyself before [whom?]
God. Happy is [that believer] that condemneth not himself in [the things] which
he [allows himself to do].
But if you’re condemned what do you do? Don’t do it, simple. Now, this is God’s
Word. Don’t argue with me, argue with God. You know, if people don’t like this Word, tell
them to argue with God. Let him rewrite the Word, I don’t give a hoot. Still God’s Word.
This is really renewed mind. But you can not operate chapter 14, without 12 and 13. What
they do with chapter 14 is wrested it out of its context and say, “I can do what I damn
please.” To heck you can. Because it would be sin, for if you don’t practice 12 and 13, you
know, love preferring one another and all the rest of them, then you’re just sinning, period.
But this renewed mind, walking in the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation,
in the family, is just fantastic. This is why I feel that perhaps the first four verses of chapter
15 should have been right included with chapter 14.
Romans 15:1:
We then that are strong...
Strong in what? Renewed mind, believing. The knowledge of God and His Word.
Romans 15:1 (continued – not KJV):
...should bear the infirmities of those that aren’t quite as strong...
They’re still our brothers and sisters in the Lord. And you wouldn’t cause a brother to
stumble or fall or get mad because you do something. Why?
Romans 15:2:
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
My neighbor, not the unbelieving neighbor but my neighbor in Christ. The one who is
next to me, like you kids are my neighbors. You’re my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
but we live next to each other occasionally. You live in trailer seven if you’re a girl, trailer
six if you’re a boy. Isn’t that how it was with the announcements Charlene? (You’re
beautiful.) Why?
Romans 15:3:
For even Christ pleased not [what?] himself;...
Boy, when you’re out there working with the people. You don’t please yourself you do,
what? Please them. When you’re back in your own little apartment you please yourself.
That’s your place, that’s your abode. But boy when the ministries and men of God are out
there before God’s people, it’s not a question of V.P. being pleased; it’s a question of the
people being pleased. With my life, my ministry, my laying out of the Word and so forth.
Romans 15:3b, 4:
As it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that
we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
So, everything is written aforetimes as you and I well know. Before the day of
Pentecost and relating to the day of Pentecost all those things are written for our learning.
And out of those things you can learn a lot that apply to chapters 12, 13, 14 and 15 as to
how you through patience and comfort of the scriptures you have hope of the Christ’s
Return and everything else that relates to it. Okay that’s all I’m going to teach tonight. You
want to ask any questions on chapter 13 or 12 of 13? Yes Ken.
[Ken:] In chapter 13 verse 8, I understood you to read that scripture with the context of
owing no man, those gift ministries, not owing them that respect but having given it to
them. In other words for me to say verse 8 means I shouldn’t borrow from the bank
would be taking it out of context, right?
Right, right I think it would don’t you?
[Ken:] Yes, I would.
Joe?
[Joe:] Verse 4 of Chapter 14: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own
master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him
stand.” Is that a context of bēma and rewards? And you talked about the judgment seat,
you said it was the bēma seat. And it reads in verse 10: “the judgment seat of Christ,
the bēma seat of,” would you say that was Christ or God?
God. Does the Aramaic have God there? Where did I get God from, I got it from some
text. Bullinger has it? From the Greek. How did they get Christ in there? Alright, Joe.
[Joe:] And in verse 18 it says: For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to
God. Specifically what does that “these things” relate back too?
All of those things that are mentioned previously run way back up in the twelfth
chapter. It will run all the way back up. Alright, Gerald?
[Gerald:] Chapter 14 verse 1, that “weak” is that in the text?
I don’t think so, I don’t remember right now, closed mine. Is that in the text Walter in
14:1 in the critical Greek – “weak”? It is? What about Aramaic, Bernita? Is that what I said?
That what I said? That’s what it was then. Just got to keep reminding me what I say. A lot
of this stuff you see, I’m really stupid that I don’t put in the translation in my own stuff. I
just don’t spend all of that time, but whenever I really work that stuff. Alright, Charlie?
[Charlie:] In 12:18 it says: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. “As much as lieth in you” is that talking about toleration point?
According to your believing, yeah. You can’t go beyond your believing. Alright, Patty?
[Patty:] Back in chapter 12 verse 10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honor preferring one another. When you mentioned the world lives so that you
might love a person ninety-nine times out of a hundred times and the hundredth time it
will catch you. And it keyed off in my mind that we say to each other that we love
each other but if we love each other but if we love each other it’s not a one time deal....
And day by day. That’s right. Craig?
[Craig:] I have one comment and one question about Charlie’s statement. It just hit me
that verse 3, the balance of the renewed mind to live peaceably with as much as lieth
in us. We do the best we can to love everybody but that sober part in verse 3, we still
have to use our head and think logically, just not to the point that we can handle. There
is the other aspect.
Right, the logical side.
[Craig:] And the next thing I wanted to ask was in Timothy: be thou an example to the
believers. You mentioned, of course, when you’re in your own home in private, what
you do is your business, of course.
But you see, even in my own home I would be very careful if you came in, because of
my love for you, see? But what I’m simply trying to say there, if you’re not careful, they’ll
dog you with this thing that you have no freedom to do anything, except somebody else
tells you what tie to wear. See? Now, let’s say that I’m accustomed to serving cocktails
before dinner. And you came in as my guest and I know ahead of time that you don’t
particularly enjoy cocktails or you don’t particularly appreciate someone else having them.
Well tonight, we’re just going to have the Ohio drink, tomato juice. See, this is how I
would walk lovingly. But I’m not going to invite you to my house every night. Yeah, you
see, people the balance is there and anybody who wants to can understand it, but if you
want to take it out of context, if you want to blow it, anybody can blow it. It’s real simple
when you look at it openly and honestly. But when they begin to squeeze it, then it gets
difficult see? Okay.
[Craig:] How much does your behavior that people do not see influence your example to
them?
It doesn’t, unless you believe it will.
[Craig:] You understand what I asked?
I sure did and I gave you the proper answer.
[Craig:] I asked how much does your behavior that people do not see, influence your
example to them.
Alright, Kurt.
[Kurt:] In verse 15 of chapter 14 it says: But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now
walkest thou not charitably. Ruin not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. I
wondered if you knew what was going on in the church at Rome that they were having,
that he would need to give specific instruction like that?
Stuff that had been offered to idols, [there] was a big idol problem.
[Kurt:] They were eating of it?
Really in many respects you don’t have that problem with idols today, but you have it
in other categories which would in practice make that verse living and real. See? If my
eating rattle snake meat (which is offensive to a lot of Christians) would be offensive, I
wouldn’t eat rattle snake meat, even if it was health food. You ever been in a gourmet store
where they have all of that stuff? Octopus feet, sure; turtle teeth. Lionel Johnson.
[Lionel:] The responsibility is primarily on the stronger believer to renew his mind.
Right, because the stronger believer already has a more renewed mind, that’s why he’s
stronger. And basically related back to ministries now. Got it? Men with apostles, prophets,
evangelist, etc., a ministry should be the strongest. And we’ve got to walk that way –
we’ve really got to walk that way.