12, 13. (a) Why should we not transfer into the Christian congregation worldly methods of administration that are apparently successful? (b) How does the apostle’s counsel at Romans 12:2, 3, 10, 16 harmonize with Jesus’ counsel?

¹² Yes, it might seem the natural thing to copy the methods of worldly rulers, executives and administrators. But Jesus said: “It shall not be so with you.” Whatever the apparent success of the mighty and wealthy of the world and their political and commercial systems, these were not to be the guiding example for the Christian congregation.

¹³ Harmonizing with this is the apostle Paul’s later counsel: “Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind.” Paul evidently was thinking of the same problem on which Jesus counseled, for he went on to say: “I want to urge each one among you not to exaggerate his real importance. Each of you must judge himself soberly by the standard of the faith God has given him.

Rom. 12:2, 3, 10, 16, Jerusalem Bible.