Exhortation, Ruling and Showing Mercy Romans 12:8

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith”, and he added, “or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching”. In chapter twelve and verse seven of Romans, Paul shared with the believers about, “exhorting, ruling” and “mercy” where we read:

Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The verse begins, “Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity;” Paul began with the words, “or he that exhorts” which means “the person who calls to one's side, summons, entreats, comforts and instructs” “on exhortation” or “on calling to one's side, summoning, entreating, comforting and instructing”: “he that gives” which means “the person who shares or imparts”, “let him do it” or “allow that person to share or impart” “with simplicity” which means “with singleness, sincerity and mental honesty”. Paul encouraged the people within the church who had the gifts of “exhortation and giving” to do them “sincerely and honestly”.

The verse goes on to say, “he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. ”. Paul continued with the words, “he that rules” which means “the person who superintends, presides over, cares for, gives attention to other”, “with diligence” or “with haste, earnestness, promotion and striving”; “he that shows mercy” which means “the person who demonstrates and displays help and aid to the afflicted and wretched”, “with cheerfulness” or “with alacrity and readiness of mind”. Paul challenged those within the church who “ruled” to do so “earnestly”, and those who have the gift of “mercy” to share in aid to others with a “ready mind and liveliness”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we discover more of the “gifts” God has given to the church, and they are to be exercised in a manner that is pleasing to Him. God has blessed some people with the ability to “exhort” , “give”, “rule over” and be “merciful” to others, and each of these are qualities which were found and employed by His Son Jesus. When people in the church use their God given “gifts” to bless others, they should do so to glorify His son Jesus. The lost world desires to see these wonderful “gifts” of the church exercised in such a way that becoming a Christian is the greatest thing in the world.

Next time Paul tells his believing readers in Rome, “let love be without dissimulation” and what to do with “that which is evil” and “that which is good”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.