Romans 12: Memory Verse Heaven

Romans 12 is Memory Verse Heaven. Except the Sermon on the Mount, it is IMHO the greatest distillation of Christian ethical teaching in Scripture. This is what free people under grace behave like.

My personal faves:

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. [NO SHORTCUT TO GOD'S WILL - GIVE GOD MY BODY AND MIND FOR WORSHIP SERVICE AND RENEWAL - AND THEN IN PROCESS I LEARN GOD'S WILL. HANDS ON LEARNING.]

 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ [LIKE OUR MARRIAGE WHEN DIANE WAS ALIVE.] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ [THAT'S WHY WE ENJOYED THE LAST YEAR.]

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in Hope, patient in Affliction, faithful in Prayer. [DON'T WORRY BE H.A.P. -PY.]

 

 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited. [THE PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD'S AND THE WORLD'S IDEA OF HOW TO PRACTICE 'PUBLIC SERVICE'.]

 

 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ [PAUL RETURNS TO THE MARRIAGE THEME, OR AM I PROJECTING HERE?] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰ [IT IS NOT TRUE THAT REVENGE IS TOO SWEET TO BE LEFT TO THE LORD.] On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

 

 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID 'I DESTROY MY ENEMIES. I DESTROY THEM BY MAKING THEM MY FRIENDS. AMEN, ABE.]