How to Live as Christians in a Fallen World: Biblical Roadmap From Romans 12

Hey Friend!

It’s easy to feel discouraged by the world’s brokenness. If you often ask yourself, “How do I navigate this fallen world?” buckle up! We’ll dive into Romans 12 and find the answers together!

We often see pain and suffering, and like many, I sometimes struggle with worry and anxiety, becoming consumed by the news or obsessing over whether it’s the end times.

However, we can rejoice because we have hope in God’s Word. It provides a roadmap for navigating every problem and situation we face.

I recently attended a conference where we studied Romans 12, which resonated with me as a guide for living, especially during these challenging times. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

Committing to living a life shaped by Romans 12 has become my goal. While we may not be perfect, we can wake up each morning and strive to follow Christ, embodying the qualities that define a genuine, honest, and pure-hearted Christian.

I encourage you to open your Bible and explore Romans 12 in depth. I will discuss how to apply each verse from Romans 12, but remember, true transformation occurs when you engage with the text yourself.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:1

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1, ESV

These verses are packed with so much wisdom and value. As you study God’s word, it’s crucial to remember that every word, pause, and punctuation mark is intentional and means something. Let’s look at “therefore.”

“Therefore” takes us back to Romans 11:36, Paul’s doxology of praise: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Paul tells us that since all things are for God’s glory, we must respond by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. The application is simple. We’re called to live sacrificially. It means:

• Dedicating our lives to serve God and others
• Being kind, generous, and selfless
• Volunteering our time and finances
• Worshipping God

It’s the application of faithful giving of your time, yourself, finances, and your desires. For those in Christ, the only acceptable worship is to offer ourselves entirely to the Lord.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2, ESV

Let’s look at conformed, transformed, and renewed. Each word presents a different connotation.

• Conformed: Refers to an outward expression that doesn’t accurately reflect what is really inside.
• Transformed: Refers to a change in outward appearance. It’s the same word Matthew used to describe Jesus’ Transfiguration.
• Renewed: A renewed mind is saturated with and controlled by God. This transformation can only occur because the Holy Spirit changes our thinking.

Renewing your mind involves immersing yourself in God’s Word, meditating on His teachings, and engaging in prayer. This is how we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. 

For me, this is committing to that daily.

Sometimes, that means reading and meditating on one verse. Other times, it might mean actively worshiping, praying, or listening to a podcast about faith.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:3

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

Romans 12:3, ESV

God’s grace changes us. There’s no way around that. Take Paul, for example. Saul – before he became Paul – was the worst of the worst and made it his life’s mission to kill as many Christians as possible. But God changed him.

God’s grace transformed Paul into an apostle, gave him spiritual authority, and produced sincere humility. And guess what, friend? God’s grace does that for us, too. The Holy Spirit creates this innate desire to live like Christ, who humbly serves others.

How do we cultivate humility?

• Recognize that our abilities are gifts from God
• Work in communion with Him to produce fruitfulness based on the gifts He’s given us
• Avoid pride, self-righteousness, judgment, and gossip
• Serve others with love and gentleness

For me, this is retaining my mind and mouth. I’m one of those people who has a thought come into my head, and it immediately comes out of my mouth. Don’t tell me a secret because I probably can’t keep it. It requires a prayerful petition to the Lord:

“God, help me to look at others with love, gentleness, and compassion. I want to see other people the way you see them. Lift the veil from my eyes and guide me in graciousness. Help me have humility and kindness as my first reaction to people. In Jesus’ name, I crush the spirit of judgment, pride, self-righteousness, and gossip. I decree and declare that those will go in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord.”

Feel free to use that wherever you need help. We are anointed and appointed to have a strong prayer life and to speak words of life over ourselves, our families, and our businesses.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:4-5

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Romans 12:4-5, ESV

The Body of Christ is a unified diversity of believers. We are all interwoven and have specific spiritual gifts that God gives us. So, we should support and encourage each other. We should be engaging in community, fellowship, and mentoring each other.

These are all things the world tries to steal from us because the enemy wants to create barriers and force us to live in isolation.

For those of us with online businesses, hiding in our homes and behind our laptops is easy. I find myself there; I’m a closet introvert, even though I can be extroverted sometimes. There have been times when I’ve been alone too long, and I feel like I can’t go to the store alone.

Remember, the enemy wants to keep us alone, scared, lonely, and isolated. We must remember that unity is a call of the Lord in Romans 12:4. We’re called to be with each other.

To me, this looks like talking to human beings and being in a community with people. Not just virtually, but in person. Eye-to-eye, listening to and serving them well. What does it look like for you? Journal about that and then do something.

Living in a Fallen World: A Romans 12 Story

Coming out of COVID, it was a struggle to be with people. It’s why I joined a mastermind that required me to fly to LA and meet with strangers once a month. I’m practicing putting myself out there in a new way. 

A couple of years ago, I didn’t want people at my home or to host, but my husband had a calling to have people over and connect. God impressed this on him, and I was resistant to it.

Then I heard a sermon on Romans 12:9-13, which shared the importance of sharing with people in need and practicing hospitality. My face got red, and I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I felt like there was a giant scarlet letter on my forehead. Looking out of the corner of my eye, I saw that my husband was staring at me.

I began to pray for a hospitable heart, that the Lord would soften my heart for service and help me be willing to get uncomfortable and be in community. Over the next few years, He did such beautiful work in me. 

God will highlight where you are weak. He will give you the answer if you are praying for it. 

I’m not afraid of God revealing my weaknesses or pointing out things I need to change. If I’m going to become the most Christ-like person I can be, I have to be aware of where I am failing.

We all do. It’s God’s grace.

The work He’s done in my heart has been a beautiful gift not just for me but for our marriage. Praise God!

I share because I’m not above this; I’m in it with you. Prayer and seeking God’s hand will get you what you need.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:9-13

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13, ESV

Romans 12:9-21 talks about sincere, brotherly love, with no strings attached. Paul gives us a comprehensive list of traits that characterize a spirit-filled life and presents them in four categories:

• Personal responsibilities (v. 9)
• Family responsibilities (v. 10-13)
• Responsibility to others (v. 14-16)
• Responsibility to those who consider us enemies (17-21)

Love is the supreme virtue of the Gospel, built on the foundation of Christ’s death and resurrection, but held together by sacrificial love.

We see that sacrificial love when God allowed Jesus to become flesh to take our place on the cross. We also see that same sacrificial love in Jesus’ earthly ministry, our model that shows us how to love others.

And we see that sacrificial love was once again demonstrated by God when He allowed His only son to become our shame and die in our place. And it’s the same kind of love we should see daily as we interact with the world. That type of love is what sets us apart from the world.

God calls us to be devoted to other Christians, just as we’re devoted to our families. Again, it’s another mark of a faithful Christ follower.

Paul explains that we’re expected to show genuine appreciation and admiration for our fellow believers by putting them before ourselves. Hebrews 13:2 refers to it as “pursuing the love of strangers.” It means we’re not called to entertain our friends. We’re also called to model this hospitality to fellow believers.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:14-18

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:14-18, ESV

We are called to love our enemies, seek peace, and overcome evil with good. 

Love your enemies. This is hard. We are called to pray for those who mistreat us, are unkind, oppose us, and even leave us a bad review. God gives us opportunities to show kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. 

He allows us to be examples of how to handle conflict and difficulty as Christ would. When we pray for them instead of condemning them, we lift them up to the Lord so He can deal with them. We don’t need to deal with our enemies; we must let God handle it.

God’s justice is always right.

God wants us to strive for peace and live peacefully with everyone; it’s easier said than done. There’s so much conflict in this fallen world. But we’re called to create peace, to seek common ground. 

Whatever the situation, it’s in God’s hands. These are God’s people, and He loves everyone. There’s never someone who is too far gone. There is never a situation that can’t be solved.

How can you create peace? Whether it’s in your mind or being careful with your words. Think of yourself as a mediator.

Romans 12:14-18 calls to live at peace with everyone wherever possible.

Living in a Fallen World: Romans 12:19-21

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:19-21

Rather than taking revenge or responding to evil with evil, we come at it with love, kindness, and grace. We are to be the light in the dark, the salt. We are called to decide not to go down to the worldly level but to rise to a Kingdom level.

Wrapping Up Romans 12

There is so much in Romans 12, and I wanted to go through it with you because it’s such a beautiful roadmap for how to live our lives in this fallen world. 

I encourage you to open your Bible and read Romans 12:1-21. Soak it in, and pull out what you receive from this word. These are the things I saw and will be actively applying. Maybe there’s something else that God has just for you.

Here is a quick recap of living out Romans 12 in this fallen world:

• Sacrificial living
• Renewing your mind
• Living in humility
• Creating unity
• Loving sincerely
• Being hospitable
• Being patient and purposeful in your prayer
• Loving your enemies
• Promoting peace
• Overcoming evil with good

I pray that these verses are not just a guide but an action plan that you can be inspired by and live by to step into a place of hope, love, and purpose. Look for that circle of fruitfulness when we align with God’s Word and His Will in our lives.

I pray this blesses you!

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