“I urge you therefore, [brothers and sisters], 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
I have noticed in my reading of the Word of God that there are some significant truths that rest on the same chapter and verse of certain books in the Bible. I can be a little weird sometimes – in fact one granddaughter said I was the king of the planet weird. That may help you gain insight into how my brain works! At any rate I want to share a few with you. Today it is the first couple of verses in chapter 12 of Romans, Hebrews, and Luke. My hope is that it will cause you to consider your new life in Christ in a deeper way – perhaps for the first time and for most – as a refresher.
To start, to bring context, I must deviate slightly by quoting John 17:14-17.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” – John 17:14-17
To begin – we must remember that we have been called out of the world. Our tendency is to first identify with our natural selves – who we are nationally, ethnically, regionally, economically, or even denominationally. Identifying in the context of our worldly distinctives. It is natural for us to do that. That is to consider who I am naturally before I consider who I am spiritually. The natural having primacy over the spiritual. It is an indicator of our hearts' devotion. And a validation of the struggle that the books in the New Testament, in specific, the epistles – letters to the churches address. Some people speak and teach the word of God as if it is merely a story about people in some other place and time. In fact – it is a book of lessons for all generations. Lessons that describe the nature of man and the struggles that Christians will endure in every generation until Jesus returns.
In John 17, Jesus, in His conversation with His Father, the One who sent Him to save those who would be saved by their choosing, Jesus said that we are not of this world. Do you believe that? Do you live like that? Are your devotions to God and the Saints – no matter who they are - what color they are – how poor they are – what language they speak – or – are your devotions to the natural. Do you believe that you have been sanctified by the Word of God and sealed by the Spirit of God? Set apart in the world to be a testimony of the Grace and Mercy and Power of God? That is the context in which you must consider the verses I am about to share.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
As Christians we will struggle with the temptation to sin – to return to that which is natural for us – we run this race – live this new life by the power of the Spirit and a submitted heart. We have to keep our focus on our faith in Jesus and not on the world around us. This world of ours is in turmoil. It is not the first time nor will it be the last. Christians have been, are and will be complicit in the sins that rage. Why? Because they choose to embrace the world – and often use the Word of God to justify what they do.
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” – Luke 12:1
Some Christians and evangelical denominations embrace the natural and justifying it by corrupting the Word of God. Just like the Pharisees. Great wrongs – social injustice has been condoned and encouraged by those who call Jesus Lord .... thinking that they were justified and acting righteously. But what they did was from the flesh. From their sinful nature. And when confronted with the truth, by the Spirit in their hearts – many seek to resist the Spirit – ignoring the revealed truth and justify their actions rather than confess their sin and repent. Remember, the Pharisees crucified Jesus and felt justified in doing so. Religion, without God the Father, Jesus and the Spirit, is dangerous, malicious, and dividing.
Living the Christian life, successfully, requires a daily – perhaps minute by minute – effort. The influences of the world and our old nature are constant – they never let up. Like leaven in the loaf – yeast – is starts in the hearts of each of us and then spreads. We must rededicate ourselves every day as living sacrifices to God. And what does that mean? To abandon our devotion to the natural and embrace the Truth – God’s intent for mankind – what we can only find in this world by the supernatural – by faith with hearts fully devoted to God. That means rejecting our natural affections – nationality – race – economics – what the world has declared to be right that is contrary to the Word of God.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:24-35
We would like to change the world – but that is not going to happen. We will not eliminate the effects of sin – only Jesus’ return will do that. So long as there are those who reject God and embrace their sinful nature – there will be injustice. The world wants peace. The world wants justice. The world wants harmony and equality. If that was achievable by human effort – Jesus could have stayed in heaven. But it isn’t and He didn’t. The world is socially and morally corrupt. The world needs Jesus – but wants what He has to offer and not Him. So what should I do as a Christian? Reveal the glory of God through my transformed life – how I live and how I love. By demonstrating unity with other Christians that defies the failures of the natural world and peoples. It is all about Jesus and all about Grace.
“The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” – John 1:29
The world needs to see Jesus in us individually and corporately, so God will be glorified and that some might be saved.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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