“I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJ)
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJ)
In life, we are
faced with good reasons why we should or shouldn’t take action. The threat to
life is a good reason. The needs of our family are good reasons. Desire for
achievement is a good reason. Fear of failure is a good reason. And there is a
reason called “because of my past.”
faced with good reasons why we should or shouldn’t take action. The threat to
life is a good reason. The needs of our family are good reasons. Desire for
achievement is a good reason. Fear of failure is a good reason. And there is a
reason called “because of my past.”
This is the reason
Paul tells the Roman Christians and me to act in committed faith. Commitment to
Christ flows out of what Christ delivered me from. Commitment to him flows out of his mercy to
me. It is because of “the depth of the riches both of wisdom and knowledge
of God” and “his judgment . . . his ways” are unsearchable and
impossible to discover (Romans 11:30-33).
Paul tells the Roman Christians and me to act in committed faith. Commitment to
Christ flows out of what Christ delivered me from. Commitment to him flows out of his mercy to
me. It is because of “the depth of the riches both of wisdom and knowledge
of God” and “his judgment . . . his ways” are unsearchable and
impossible to discover (Romans 11:30-33).
“All
things,” including our lives, “are of him, through him, and to
him,” so he deserves “all the glory forever” (Romans 11:36).
“Therefore” presenting myself as a living sacrifice is simply the
reasonable thing to do (12:1).
things,” including our lives, “are of him, through him, and to
him,” so he deserves “all the glory forever” (Romans 11:36).
“Therefore” presenting myself as a living sacrifice is simply the
reasonable thing to do (12:1).
In faith, I refuse
to act according to the world’s rules. As I consider this teaching closely, the
light explodes in my brain. I must think differently! There must be a mental
renewal! If I am going to be a living sacrifice for Christ, then I must refuse
to think like the world, act like the world, or accept the world’s standards.
My whole perspective must change to think and act like Christ.
to act according to the world’s rules. As I consider this teaching closely, the
light explodes in my brain. I must think differently! There must be a mental
renewal! If I am going to be a living sacrifice for Christ, then I must refuse
to think like the world, act like the world, or accept the world’s standards.
My whole perspective must change to think and act like Christ.
And miraculously, in
this commitment to live like Christ and different from the world, I find myself
concentrating on the will of God for my life. As I continue in this renewed
thinking, living sacrificially for Christ, I discover that God has a plan for
me and his plan is good. And as I pursue his plan, I discover that his will is
acceptable. It is not beyond my capacity to achieve. His will is perfect!
this commitment to live like Christ and different from the world, I find myself
concentrating on the will of God for my life. As I continue in this renewed
thinking, living sacrificially for Christ, I discover that God has a plan for
me and his plan is good. And as I pursue his plan, I discover that his will is
acceptable. It is not beyond my capacity to achieve. His will is perfect!
Dear Father, thank
you for your sacrifice for me. Empower me to truly experience transformation by
renewing my perspectives and living sacrificially for you. Enable me to
discover and obey your will for my life. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your sacrifice for me. Empower me to truly experience transformation by
renewing my perspectives and living sacrificially for you. Enable me to
discover and obey your will for my life. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Face the
Truth. Reject the Fear. Commit Today.
Truth. Reject the Fear. Commit Today.