Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
There's a sharp change in tone between chapters 11 and 12. From technical arguments about Jews and Gentiles, Paul soars into a meditation on what God's mercy means for our conduct. In a society where status was everything, he asks his readers to be modest and humble, putting others first and living lovingly together. Perhaps the verse that sums up his thinking best is this: 'Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind' (verse 2). We're all influenced by the world around us: the values, assumptions and beliefs common in our society. Christians, though, are to resist being shaped by the world. We start from a different place, with God and his grace. This has consequences for what we think of ourselves and one another, how we treat one another, and how we treat our 'enemies' (verse 20).
We might think that this chapter is all about 'doing good', and in a way it is; Paul gives us a list of good advice on how to behave. But it isn't just a checklist that we can tick off, like the young man in Matthew 19.16–22; when Jesus lists the commandments, he replies that he's kept them all. This is much more about 'being good'. We are told to offer ourselves as 'living sacrifices' to God (verse 1). A sacrifice no longer belongs to the giver, but to God. Everything else follows from that.
God, help me to remember that I am not my own but yours. Let what I say and do match what through your grace I really am.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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