“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27
So much for “replacement theology” and God being all done with Israel. Israel’s best days are yet to come!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
A great memory passage on how this world is not our home. We should be transformed from it, not conformed to it.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
Notice that the spiritual gifts in these verses do not include unknown tongues. Rather than being the “initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost,” tongues (unknown or not) didn’t even make the list.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
It’s not enough that we stop doing evil things. We must replace evil with good, lest we slip back into the old ways. It’s not enough to not take vengeance on an enemy. We must find ways to show kindness to them and bless them. Matthew 5:44 says “ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”