“Living legacy part 2: The Conduct” Bro. Robert White

 

“Living legacy part 2: The Conduct” Bro. Robert White

Introduction: From Commitment to Conduct

In the first two verses of Romans chapter 12, Paul calls us to a life of total commitment
to God.
He says we must “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
That means we’ve been separated from the world, sanctified by the Spirit, and now we
are to be a showcase of God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
But after commitment comes conduct.

The rest of Romans now deals with how we live out that commitment.

 12:3–8 — Conduct in the Body.
 12:9–21 — Conduct in the World.
 13:1–7 — Conduct under Government.
 13:8–14 — Conduct in Society.
 14:1–15:13 — Conduct toward Weaker Believers.
 15:14–33 — Conduct in Ministry.
 16:1–24 — Conduct toward Fellow Servants.
 16:25–27 — Conduct to Praise God for it all.

Once we have given ourselves to God, we must now learn how to give ourselves to
others.
 

Paul now turns from the altar to the assembly, from sacrifice to service, from dedication to demonstration.
This passage shows us what a surrendered life looks like within the body of Christ.

I. The Authority of Paul’s Command (v. 3a)
Paul begins:
“For I say, through the grace given unto me…”
Notice the shift.
In verse 1, Paul said, “I beseech you.” That was a loving appeal.
But here, he says, “I say.” This is not a suggestion it’s a command.
Paul speaks with apostolic authority — yet he does so with humility.

His authority does not come from pride or position, but from grace.
Romans 1:5 says,
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship.”
Ephesians 3:7–8 adds,
“Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God.”
Paul is saying, “Even my right to speak truth comes by grace.”
He models humility even while exercising authority.
Everything his calling, his voice, his authority all of it is grace.

II. The Attitude of a Renewed Mind (v. 3b)
Paul warns:
“Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.”
That’s spiritual pride the enemy of fellowship and unity.
Instead, he says, “think soberly.”
The Greek word sōphronein means to think wisely, humbly, sensibly with sound
judgment.
It’s the opposite of prideful thinking.
This doesn’t just mean avoiding arrogance; it means keeping balance not too high, not
too low.
In other words:

 Don’t overestimate yourself, remember your dependence on God.
 Don’t underestimate yourself, remember God’s grace working in you.

Matthew Henry said it well:
“A sober mind is a humble mind.”
Think clearly about your gifts and your place in the body.
Not with pride, not with false humility — but with gratitude and balance.

III. The Allotment of God’s Grace (v. 3c)
Paul continues:

“According as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
That word “dealt” means distributed or assigned.
God has measured out to every believer the exact portion of grace and faith needed for
their role in His body.
That means:

 Your gifts are not an accident.
 Your calling is not random.
 Your abilities are not self-made.

This “measure of faith” isn’t primarily saving faith it’s serving faith.
It’s the faith to exercise your spiritual gifts effectively in the body.
Each believer has been perfectly equipped by God to fulfill their calling.
So, there’s no room for comparison or competition only cooperation.
Each believer receives the faith that matches the calling God assigns them.

IV. The Analogy of the Body (vv. 4–5)
Paul gives one of his favorite illustrations
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same
office…”
Just like a human body has many parts eyes, ears, hands, and feet,yet all work together
under one head,
so the Body of Christ has many members, each with different gifts, but all united under
Christ.
We belong to something bigger than ourselves.
The word “office” here means function, not title or position.
Not everyone has the same calling, but every calling is vital.

 The hand cannot do what the eye does.
 The ear cannot perform the role of the foot.
 Yet every part depends on the others.

So too, every believer is connected to Christ and to one another.
There is no such thing as an unnecessary member in the Body of Christ.

“Unity does not mean uniformity; it means harmony in diversity.”

V. The Application of Our Gifts (vv. 6–8)
Paul writes:
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…”
Our gifts differ, but their source is the same: the grace of God.
Every believer has a unique role to play in the health and function of the body.
Paul lists seven examples, and each can be compared to a part of the human body:

 Prophecy = like the eyes, giving vision and spiritual clarity.
Without clear vision, the body stumbles in darkness.
 Ministry (Serving) = like the hands, doing the practical work.
Without serving hands, the body cannot act.
 Teaching = like the mouth, communicating truth and wisdom.
Without teachers, the body starves for knowledge.
 Exhortation (Encouraging) = like the heart and lungs, giving life and breath.
Without encouragers, the body grows weary.
 Giving = like the blood vessels, carrying nourishment and resources.
Without givers, the body weakens.
 Ruling (Leadership) = like the nervous system, providing coordination and
direction.

Without leadership, the body moves in confusion.
 Mercy = like the skin, sensing and soothing pain.
Without mercy, the body becomes calloused.
Every gift has a purpose.
When each member functions properly, the body grows strong and healthy.
But when one part refuses to operate, the body becomes dysfunctional or disabled.
A blind eye, a paralyzed limb, or a hardened heart can hinder the whole body.
That’s why Paul urges us not just to know our gifts, but to use them.
A gift left unused is like a muscle left unexercised, it weakens over time.
But when we serve with humility, the Body becomes a living, thriving body of Christ.

“The Body suffers not when the wicked attack, but when the righteous are inactive.”
Anonymous

Illustration: The Story Behind “Just As I Am”
Charlotte Elliott was a gifted artist and writer, but her health failed her early in life.
Bedridden and often discouraged, she wondered if God could still use her.
One night, struggling with doubt, she remembered the words of a minister who had
once told her:
“Come to Christ just as you are.”
Those words pierced her heart.
She realized she didn’t have to wait until she was stronger or more capable — God
wanted her just as she was.
From that revelation came her hymn:
 

Just As I Am — All Seven Verses
Verse 1
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Verse 2
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Verse 3
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Verse 4
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Verse 5
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Verse 6
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Verse 7
Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

That hymn became the invitation song for countless revivals, including those led by Billy
Graham.
Charlotte Elliott could not travel, teach, or preach, yet through her surrender, God used
her song to reach millions.
Her weakness became her worship; her surrender became her service.
“God is not looking for ability, but for availability.”

Conclusion: From the Altar to the Assembly
Romans 12 begins at the altar “present your bodies a living sacrifice.”
But it moves quickly to the assembly the body of believers.
God doesn’t just want your sacrifice; He wants your service.
When we live humbly, think soberly, and serve faithfully,
the Body of Christ becomes a living testimony of His grace.
So let us each say:
“Lord, I come, just as I am.
Use my gifts, great or small,
to strengthen Your body and glorify Your name.”

Paul reminds us that a life truly surrendered to God will show itself through humble
service to others.
Every believer has been given grace, faith, and gifts — not for personal glory, but for the
health of the Body of Christ.
When one member refuses to serve, the body becomes unbalanced.
When each member serves in harmony, the Body reflects Christ’s love and unity.
Our calling is not to compete, but to complete one another.
So I ask you —
How are you using your gift today in the body of Christ?