Title: Mature Christians (2) (Romans 12:1-2)
Contents
We have lived the life we have been given so far, and we will have to spend a lot of time in the field of life. Moreover, I think the attitude of our lives as saints who serve God as our Father and serve Christ is very important. The principle of life of the saints is clarified, and among them, the words of today's text teach the main principle of life for the people of the kingdom of God. I will do it
First: We are told to present our bodies as living sacrifices pleasing to God.
Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as living sacrifices acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
The living sacrifice you are talking about here means that you must live a life that gives the whole life of the saints, that is, not only the time for worship, but also the time for prayer, but to give the whole of your life to God and live with God.
Dear saints,
How much time are you giving to the Lord by living with the Lord now? Instead of one day, from Monday to Saturday, we live a life that has no relationship with God, and on Sunday we are heading toward God. Even though it was said that we lived with the world in a life that was not related to God before we met God, now that we have God, I hope you do not forget that we must eat, drink and live our bodies with God.
Then, what kind of life would it be to offer your body to God as a living sacrifice?
1) We must live a God-centered life
It is a God-centered life, not my own life. It is not my interests that come first, but the interests of the church of God. I have to live with the glory of God, not my comfort
2) We must live centered on the church
It is a matter of taking care of the church entrusted to me on earth, more than my family, just as I take care of the body of the Lord. Believe that church-centered life is thoroughly attending church meetings and actively participating in the church’s projects. wish
3) It is a life centered on the Word
It is difficult for us to keep God's Word perfectly, but we always mourn for not living according to God's Word and try to live a life that conforms to the Word. It is not a person who lives centered on the Word to put it aside.
It is challenging the difficult environment to live in the Word, conquering the environment with the Word, and conquering my feelings with the Word. Of course, there will be difficulties to overcome difficult circumstances and emotions with the Word. I pray that suffering is the prelude to God's blessings, and that you have patience and offer our bodies as holy living sacrifices to God.
Second: we must not imitate this generation
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be changed of your mind by the renewing of your mind.”
The world we live in is not our permanent residence This world is temporary and changeable
That's why Galatians 1:4 defines this generation as an evil one, "Christ gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this evil generation, according to the will of God and our Father."
On the other hand, 1 John 2:16 says, "All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is pursued into the world." I am saying that
Therefore, a saint should not be an opportunist who pursues only the visible world, because the world or its lusts do not bring true joy or satisfaction to man, but these things are fleeting and pass away.
In 1 John 2:17 he says, "The world and its lusts have passed away." In 1 Corinthians 7:31, he says, "The signs of this world are passing away."
Dear saints,
However, if our thoughts and plans are determined by what falls within the scope of this life, we are children of this generation and cannot become saints. Therefore, the first element of a saint's life is a life that does not imitate this generation. The Bible says It means that we cannot love God and the world at the same time. Now that we are children of God, I pray that you will receive new changes every day and become more like Jesus.
Third: We must discern the will of God
In Romans 12:2, the second half says, “Let us discern what is the will of God that is good, pleasing, and perfect.”
Filial children are those who understand their parents' will and keep it well. Children of God must understand God's will well It is absolutely necessary for us as children of God to know and practice God's will for us. is
So, what is God's will for us?
It is a life of rejoicing always (thinking about God’s grace), a life of praying without ceasing (always hoping for God’s help), a life of being grateful for everything (a life that finds the conditions of gratitude in spite of the police and adversity). Living a life of holiness
The life of a saint is a life of resembling the Lord and recovering the lost image of God. So, the process of accepting the Lord and living a life of faith is called the process of sanctification. Remember that your life should be a life that shows and testifies to Christ, and I pray that you will live a life of holiness according to God's will.
Fourth: to live a life of devotion
The saints who have not imitated this generation and have discerned the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God must now give their lives and all to God.
1) You must give your body to God.
Before we trusted Christ, we used our bodies for sinful pleasures. But after becoming children of the Lord, we must use our bodies for the glory of the Lord. Just as Christ took on His body to accomplish God's will on earth, so we must give our bodies to Christ so that God can use them through our bodies.
As Romans 6:13 says, "We must not present our bodies to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but we must present our bodies to God so that our members may be used as instruments of righteousness. This is proper worship, which is spiritual worship.
2) You must give your thoughts to the Lord.
The world wants to dominate the thoughts of the saints, but God wants to change the minds of the saints The world tries to turn the hearts of the saints into the world, tempting and pressuring them through the external environment. He changes our hearts by releasing
Therefore, we must give our thoughts to the Lord, because our thoughts encourage and accompany our actions.
Dear saints,
The Christian's new life is in sanctification. I offer my body as a holy living sacrifice, do not follow the pattern of this generation, discern God's will, and give our bodies and minds to the Lord to live a life of dedication.