Introducing
Have you ever been told that what you are looking for is RIGHT in front of you? But, still you either cannot find it or just plain don’t get it? The Christian life can be a little like that too. We have the tools, beginning with God’s Holy Word, then SO many companions to help us along which can include dictionaries, commentaries and language translation tools. Oftentimes it may be presented that we have more information than we have ever had before us, but on the other hand have by far a less literate Body of Believers than even in the dark ages. Strong words? Yes, considering the Scripture used for this Series doesn’t require any other resource but the Holy Spirit, which every Born Again Believer has a full dose already occupying the Temple that God the Father wants SO desperately to have fully consecrated to Him.
The first presentation is of our bodies:
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.
Romans 12:1 | King James Version
In order to serve Him, we have to surrender ourselves unto God – which Paul here is addressing the “brethren”, who are Christians, sinners saved by Grace. It is possible to be born-again and not be fully surrendered to Him – which is a sad state of affairs for the Christian. Also worthy of specific note is this:
EVERY single one of us, no matter our age, has at one time or another NOT been fully surrendered to God in some manner, matter or situation.
We are NOT perfect, which could place us as Christians in this fluid situation on a daily basis, if not by the hour at times. Be honest with yourself and before a Thrice Holy God, it is a struggle that the imperfect man, woman, boy or girl finds themselves in if they are breathing and aware.
Be Ye Transformed…
The process that Paul is referring to by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is just that, being transformed continually and being renewed continually, so we may prove Him.
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 12:2 | King James Version
As with any process of improvement, adjustments have to be made – which is what the “renewing of your mind” is referring. We are to “prove” by examination, seeking and trial, so that we are able to determine “what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. We will make sacrifices to do so and the world will NOT follow along willingly, because their desires run contrary to those of God’s and His Holy Word. By each item we test, determine to be good, acceptable, perfect, will – our will changes, NOT God’s Will. We do so by God’s Mercy and it is ONLY Reasonable that we do so.
Our Faith will be tested at each turn – if it is NOT being tested, it’d be recommended that we stop what we are doing, drop to our knees and pray about finding out why. It is also possible that we are set on “cruise control” so to speak, where we have somewhat disengaged ourselves from what we should be doing because we have gotten comfortable where we are. Of course, that DOES NOT MEAN we are supposed to be MISERABLE where we are either. First we have to be Reasonable – in God’s economy, NOT the world’s, which makes us acceptable unto God and it is ONLY reasonable that we would want to Serve Him.
There are fifteen (15) items in this Series in which we can take a review of in our lives, with a simple, very plain set of guides – the short form of them are provided for every Christian to review. It started with us having to check for Evil in our motives and will end by our Overcoming of that Evil in our lives through God’s Mercy and our Reasonable Service unto Him.
Beseech & Overcome
Reasonable | Transformed | Grace | One Body | Gifts Differing
Cleave to Good | In Honor | Bless | Rejoice & Weep | Same Mind
Honest | Live Peaceably | It Is Written | Thine Enemy | Overcome
What an incredible reminder this Series is to the Christian about the simplicity of what our Heavenly Father expects of us as a Body of Believers! What we may not expect to find in those instructions is the simple manner in which others will see Christ in us – it IS what they will see, for the world will balk at doing all of these. We will NEVER get them all RIGHT every single TIME in this sinful, prideful body of ours here on this earth – but we have the means within us with the Holy Spirit in residence to be a LIVING Mercy benefactor. We must have FAITH which is renewed and understand that God the Father’s MERCY presents us with the benefit of having HIM to guide us on way through life, honoring Him as we go. Not only do we find our life stage set here, we also get a great abundance of “how” we are to live among, with and around others. Top to bottom and side to side, we find that this passage of Scripture is “life” size – put together in twenty-one verses. This is a passage that many will recall something about, but few will realize the reach it has – a reach that changes, because it is God’s Hand that we are touching…
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