Scripture:
Romans 12:1-3 ESV
[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Observation:
I know I have written about this scripture before. But the Holy Spirit wouldn’t leave me alone about it. I woke up in the middle of the night with this scripture on my mind. Paul was an extremely smart man. He could honestly think circles around me, that’s for sure. So let’s see what he has to say this morning. He starts out by giving us some instructions for how to live, and although Paul is an advocate for grace. His approach is not that we should live. However, we want. But that we present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to GOD, but what does that mean, and how is it accomplished? By calling it an act of worship, Paul gives us a better understanding of where he is going with all this. He moves on quickly to how the world operates, guiding us to not be influenced by how the world does things. Challenging us to change the way we think. In a sense, he is saying let the word of GOD guide the way you think. Doing what you know pleases HIM. So far, Paul has challenged us to not only think differently but do differently as well. But the real challenge comes in verse 3, where his intentions are to stay right sized. Thinking accurately about yourself not getting puffed up and thinking you are something that you are not. He puts that back on GOD by saying it’s really about the amount of faith that you have been given.
Application:
Worship is more than 3 songs before the pastor brings a message. It’s a lifestyle. It’s what you do behind closed doors, and yes, it matters. My thought is when you love someone you want to do, what pleases them. As most of you know, I got married a few weeks ago. She is on one of these SOAP groups, so she will probably read this. My point to saying that is… I love my wife, and because I do, I want her to be pleased with the way I act and treat her. She needs to know that she is important. Now, let’s take that concept to our relationship with GOD. HE is the center of our marriage. If we don’t consider HIM in our decisions, what we are saying with our actions is that we don’t really care what you think. So here is the deal. When Lori and I got married, I had to change the way I thought. I was no longer thinking for just me. I have to consider her in everything I do. She is a part of me. Again, let’s relate that to our relationship with GOD. When we consider HIM before we do anything, HE knows that HE is important in our lives. Denying our flesh and following the Holy Spirit is an act of worship. My relationship with GOD is the most important relationship I have. The only reason I use my marriage as an example is its fresh, and I can see how GOD has renewed my mind through the changes and sacrifices that have been made on both of our parts. GOD had a plan all along. Now, for the last part of the application. In our relationships, we have to know our part. Not thinking more highly of ourselves. But staying humble. Having a true understanding. Of our part. We are married first and foremost to GOD through Jesus christ, and as we keep that marriage in order. Living a life that pleases HIM