Class Notes: 10/26/2008

Mandates for Integrity Love in Rom 12:14-21 cont...


Last time we started looking at the mandates for the believer to function in impersonal or integrity love inside the PPOG that are found in Rom 12:14-21;

These mandates are in the context of Rom 12:1-2; that show that the believer’s adherence to these mandates is enabled by the Mercies of God (Grace) and is part of their "reasonable (logical) service" NET (verse 1) and is enabled by the transformation that occurs in the believer's thinking that comes from their continuous persistent PMA of Bible Doctrine that results in their performing the will of God. (verse 2).

There are mandates from the imperative mood of the Original Language found in verses 14, 16,19,20 and 21.

We saw that in verse 14, the words translated "bless" are the second person plural present active imperative of "eulogeo" and the words translated "not curse" is the second person plural middle imperative of " kataraomai" plus the negative particle "me".

We also saw that this passage repeats the mandate our Lord made to his disciples in Luke 6:27-28;

This impersonal love that is commanded by God is to function with wisdom and understanding in light of the mandate found in:

Matt 7:15 - "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Beware is the Second Person Plural Active Imperative of "prosecho” a Command to be on alert, be on one's guard against, or to be on watch.

Matt 16:6 - And Jesus said to them (the disciples), "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Matt 16:12; They understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the arrogant teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Mark 12:38 In His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places,

v. 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,

v. 40 who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation."

Luke 12:15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

Paul also commands believer's to "beware"

Phil 3:2 Beware of the dogs (The Greek word "kuon" refers to the legalistic Judaizers who were false teachers ... the same ones that our Lord spoke of to the disciples beware of the evil workers (the teachings of the Judaizers), beware of the false circumcision (those who allege to be God's people but are not)

v 3 for we (those saved by grace through faith alone in TLJC alone) are the true circumcision (those who are really God's people) who worship the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

So along with the command for unconditional integrity or impersonal love is the command to be careful.

Integrity love does not compromise it's standards or "go along to get along" Integrity love is objective not subjective and Integrity love is always on guard against false teaching.

Rom 12:15;

Because of their objectivity from integrity love, believers are able to empathize with others regardless the situation. Believers are to empathize but not compromise or be judgmental.

Believers are to participate with others in their happiness or sorrow while remaining objective because of their absolute confidence in God and his word.

Rom 12:16;

The word translated" do not be” in the phrase "do not be wise in your own estimation" is the second person plural present middle imperative of "ginomai"

In this case it a command not to be arrogant or to think too highly of ones self instead it is a mandate to have accurate thinking that is established from Bible Doctrine Rom 12:3c;... "as God has allotted each a standard of thinking from Doctrine"

Believers are to respect the imputed righteousness of other believers and without arrogance be willing to associate with all believers who have esprit de corps from their function inside the PPOG.

All believers have equal privilege because of the forty grace gifts that are imputed at salvation, however, this equality only forms the basis for spiritual growth and results in all believers becoming unequal because of differences in +V to the PMA of Bible Doctrine and the function inside the PPOG.

Believers are to consider all other believers equally as fellow members of the royal family. Those with more doctrine are not to do not lord over those with less.

Pastors are even warned about that in 1Pet 5:1-3;

A pastor must insert doctrinal viewpoint into situations that require it or address doctrinal errors, but that instruction is to be done in a respectful manner.

Fellow believers should simply stay out of each other's business unless there is some sort or legitimate authority involved such as a parent-to-child or a superior-to-subordinate situation.

Rom 12:16b; Net note 10 Depending on weather the Greek word " tapeinos” that is translated "lowly" in the NASB is in the masculine or neuter gender it can mean that the believer is to be willing to do whatever work needs to be done regardless of how menial it seems, or that the believer is to associate with any other believer regardless of their social status.

In the case of the neuter, we have the following admonition... Phil 2:14-15;

In the case of the masculine, we understand that very believer is equal in their priesthood Gal. 3:28; so believers are to have the same attitude toward all other believers. 1Thes 5:12-13; this can only be achieved by putting on the thinking of TLJC through spiritual growth. Phil 2:5-8;

In verses 17 and 18 we have instruction, but no imperatives of command in the original language.

Rom 12:17;

This repeats the principle taught by David to Solomon found in Prov 20:22;

From this we can take the principles of: "Two wrongs do not make a right" and " Do not take the law into your own hand."

We are to be patient in adversity; in the midst of it our words are to be a source of blessing, not of cursing and we are not to react to evil with evil.

We see from this that the person who seeks to take vengeance on another is trespassing on the jurisdiction of God. Heb 10:30;

The OSN wants to defend itself, to be right at all times, and to fight for its rights but
believers are to be transformed by their PMA of Bible Doctrine so that they do not react in this manner regardless of the provocation.

We are to be crucified with Christ Gal 2:20; and as a result to be crucified to the world Gal 6:14; so that we do not react to the hostile persecutions that we will encounter in the devil's world.

For a believer to react to offense is a sin. 1John 3:15;

Nothing can make the believer who is focused on TLJC stumble Psa 119:165; Isa 26:3;

Believers who rest in the love and grace of God and are occupied with TLJC do not allow themselves to become upset and react in anger.

When they do they are quick to acknowledge it as sin. Eph 4:26-27;


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