Romans 12- A Manifesto for Christian Living?

We have all probably read this scripture dozens of time, It's one of those that you tend to read and then everyone quotes verse eleven, like there is no tomorrow. But one verse alone cant explain what is being put across in this scripture, neither can what I am writing now, but I am hoping to at least explore some of what is being said.

In Verse 1we are told to offer our bodies "As living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to God, this is our Spiritual act of Worship" This is telling us clearly that as Christians we must no longer be the same as we must worship God, in our lives. This is done by following the instructions laid down in this chapter. We are told that we must "Not conform any longer to the ways of this World, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, Then we will be able to test what Gods will is, his good pleasing and perfect will." This is telling us that if we set ourselves to live to standards and not to be as the world is, then we will be able to better understand whether what we are doing is in God's will.
We are then taught about the Unity that the church should have, we should all work together for the achievement of the Goal to see Christ manifest. We are warned not to think of ourselves higher than we should. It is understood that we all have different gifts, however this makes us even more potent as a team because one person's strengths help another person's weaknesses. You rely one each other, an eye cant smell but it can see and leave the nose to do the smelling, in this way we should compliment each other. Verses 6-8 explain "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving let him serve: if it is teaching let him teach; if it is encouraging let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others let him give generously; if it is leadership let him govern diligently; If it is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully." This shows us in a clear way that we all have different things that we can and can not do these things are gifts from God and we should be looking to use them for his glory and to help those around us. All of these gifts work together to make an amazing force for Gods will.
Now we come to the well-quoted verse "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour serving the Lord." This is a problem that I think all Christian's sometimes have, we might serve the Lord in such a fervent and diligent way for a period, however time tends to often ware us down and kill of our fervency. This scripture is telling us, warning us that this might happen and telling us clearly that we must not allow it, we must remain fervent to serve the Lord properly.

The Next set of Verses tells us exactly what we must be fervent in, in very easy to understand terms, it shows us a manifesto for Christian living. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, fervent in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" says 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. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." These verses give us a really good description of the things, which we should do, it is like a description of how a Christian behaves so we can follow it. It is showing us a basic set of lines, which if we follow with a fervent heart can change our lives around. It's like when you are asking, "What can I do? Where can I start?" Well a good start is to try your utmost to live to these things written here. Not only will this make you a better Christian but it will help you to witness as people will see the clean and good witness you set, and that you are all of these things, many of which, even to those of the world are classed as virtues. Even worldly people see when someone is humble, and doesn't take revenge, they see these things as virtues which some odd people have. The thing is we know them to be things, which all people should have, not through ourselves but through Christ in us.