1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
A. Living Sacrifices
Text : Romans 12:1, 2:
a. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
b. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
v. 1, God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. Because He wants only what is best for us, and because He gave His Son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service.
v.2, Christians are called to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, "with its behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Many Christians widely decide that much worldly behavior is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than the level of behavior and customs---it must be firmly planted in our mind." It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. only when the Holy Spirits renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed.
Romans 8:5,
Paul divides people into two categories--- those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offer us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because this way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use Bible to discover God's guidelines, and then follow them.
A. Living Sacrifices
Text : Romans 12:1, 2:
a. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
b. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
v. 1, God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. Because He wants only what is best for us, and because He gave His Son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service.
v.2, Christians are called to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, "with its behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Many Christians widely decide that much worldly behavior is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than the level of behavior and customs---it must be firmly planted in our mind." It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. only when the Holy Spirits renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed.
Romans 8:5,
Paul divides people into two categories--- those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offer us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because this way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use Bible to discover God's guidelines, and then follow them.
Romans 6:6-8,
The power and penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our "old self", our sinful nature, died once and for all, so we are freed from its power. The "body of sin" is not the human body, but our rebellious sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. Though our body willingly cooperates with our sinful nature, we must not regard the body as evil. It is the sin in us that is evil. And it is the power of sin at work in our body that is defeated. Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, "not guilty" before God. Here Paul emphasizes that we need no longer live under sin's power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots---we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we were saved we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we can choose to live for Christ. (see Galatians 2:20)
v. 8, Because of Christ's death and resurrection, His followers need never fear death. That assurance frees us to enjoy fellowship with Him and to do His will. This will affect all our activities---work and worship, play, Bible study, quiet times, and times of caring for others. When you know that you don't have to fear death, you will experience a new vigor in life.
Ephesians 4:22-24,
Our old way of life before we believe in Christ is completely in the past. We should put it behind us like old clothes to be thrown away. This is both a once -for all decision when we decide to accept Christ gift of Salvation (2:8-10) and also a daily conscious commitment. We are to be driven by desires and impulse. We must put on the new role, head in the new direction, and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives.
Colossians 3:3-15,
v. 3, What does it mean that a believers life is "hidden with Christ"? Hidden means concealed and safe. This is not only future hope, but an accomplished fact right now. Our service and conduct do not earn our Salvation, but the are results of our Salvation. Take heart that your Salvation is sure, and live each day for Christ.
v. 4, Christ gives us power to live with Him now, and He gives us hope for the future---He will return. so prepare for Christ return.
v. 5, We should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Just like deseased limbs of a tree, this practices must be cut off before they destroy us. We must make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that supports or feeds this desires and to rely on the Holy Spirit's power.
v. 6, The "wrath of God" refers to God judgement on this kind of behavior, culminating with future and final punishment of evil. When tempted to sin, remember that you must one day stand before God.
v. 8-10, We must rid ourselves of all evil practices and immorality. Then we can commit ourselves to what Christ teaches.
v. 9, Lying to one another disrupts unity by destroying trust. It tears down relationships and may lead to serious conflict in a church. So don't exaggerates statistics, pass on rumors or gossip, or say things to build up your own image. Be committed to telling the truth.
v. 10 What does it mean to "put on the new self "? It means that your conduct should match your faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like it. To be a Christians means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means taking the right actions. This straight forward step that is as simple as putting on your own clothes.
v. 14,15, Christians should live in peace. To live in peace does not mean that suddenly all differences in opinion are eliminated , but it does require that loving Christians work together despite their differences. Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others' needs. (see 1 Corinthians 13). To live in love leads to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of believers.
Do problems in your relationships with other Christians cause open conflicts or mutual silence ?
What you can do to heal those relationship with love?
The word rules comes from the language of athletics: Pauls tells to let Christ's peace be referee in our hearts . Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash---our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love. How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants ?
Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace--which choice will promote peace in our souls and in our churches ?
Philippians 4:9,
It's not enough to hear or read the Word of God, or even to know it well. We must also to put it into practice. How easy to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God's Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience.
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