Romans 12:9

In football, an elusive running back can make the other team's defense look foolish as he constantly slips from their grasp. The defense must pursue the runner, lay a hold of him, and tenaciously hold fast until they tackle him. In the Christian life, genuine goodness can be very elusive and difficult to maintain. We must learn to continually reject sin and evil and cling tenaciously to what is good in order to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Do you put love and goodness in action as a committed disciple of Jesus Christ?

Romans 12:9

The Bible declares that God is love and stresses the preeminance of love in the Christian life. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and an indispensible virtue in the life of every believer. But do you realize that hatred is just as much an attribute of God and just as much a Christian virtue as love is. God's perfect character demands a holy hatred of every manifestation of sin and evil. And if we are to reflect the character of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must hate that which is evil and which stands opposed to His holiness and righteousness.

Romans 12:9

If a man receives a new set of woodworking tools as a gift, but does not know how to use them properly he will make lopsided birdhouses and other poorly constructed projects. But an expert carpenter will know how to use his new tools to make many beautiful and useful items. God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift. But merely knowing what your gifts are and exercising them is not enough. We must always remember that the only right way to serve the Lord and others is to do so in genuine Christian love. Find out more from Dr. Donald Barnhouse. 

Romans 12:8

Some congregations that might be more charasmatic might look down upon other churches and denominations for what they perceive as a lack of interest in spiritual gifts. They may not realize that a church is faithfully exercising its spiritual gifts through acts of mercy and compassion, and wise and effective management and administration of its affairs. Mercy, compassion, and church administration are not often mentoned in discussions of spiritual gifts, but they are vital to the growth and well being of the church of Jesus Christ. Dr. Barnhouse shares about these gifts on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Romans 12:8

What do you think of when someone mentions spiritual gifts? Many Christians immediately think of extraordinary phenomena such as speaking in tongues, healings, and miricles. Spiritual gifts include generous, joyful giving as well as the ability to speak the right words in the right situations. Exhortation and generous giving are often overlooked in the discussion of spiritual gifts. but they play a vital role in the building up of the body of Christ. Dr. Barnhouse explains more on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Romans 12:6-8

Alexander the Great was so named because of his extraordinary military and political leadership as he conquered and domiated much of the known world. Even today we tend to associate greatness with power, wealth, influence, and worldly success. But Jesus points us to a much different path to greatness in the spiritual life and in church leadership. Effective church leaders must lay aside personal ambition, self-serving agendas, and the desire to rule over others and serve others in love, humiility, and complete reliance upon the grace of God. Find out more on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Romans 12:6-8

Members of a football team have different responsibilities according to the positions they play. The quarterback calls plays, passes the ball, and hands it off as the offensive line blocks the defenders. The tailback runs the ball whie the recievers run patterns and catch passes. Likewise, Dr. Barnhouse explains, the members of Christ's church have different roles and spiritual responsibilities which must be fulfilled if the church is to succeed in its global mission.

Romans 12:6

Children love to wake up on Christmas morning to see a diverse assortment of gifts under the tree ready to open and enjoy. It has pleased our heavenly Father to give us, His children, a diversity of spiritual gifts in order to build up and strengthen the body of Christ. What are these spiritual gifts and how can we learn to identify and exercise them for our mutual benefit and edification? Dr. Barnhouse explores this on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Romans 12:4-5

Your stomach cannot pump blood throughout your body if your heart stops working. And if your eyes go blind, you cannot see with your toes. You cannot function properly unless every part of your body fulfills its unique and essential purpose. Believers are members of the Body of Christ and when we exercise our particular spiritual gifts, serve one another, and work together with unity of purpose, the church can function as a strong, healthy spiritual body. Dr. Barnhouse asks, "Are you helping the Body of Christ function properly by fulfilling your unique and vital role in His church?," on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Romans 12:5

Believers often gather and sing the hymn, "They will know we are Christians by our love". But sadly, Christians are sometimes known for our fighting, quarreling and bitterness. Disunity and division in the church severely damages our witness for Jesus Christ before a watching world. How can we advance the Kingdom of God through authentic Christian love and fellowship in the gospel? Dr. Barnhouse explains on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.