Ray Yates writes
On Sunday evening I spoke on Romans 12 v 1-3 and I’ve been asked to share a little of what I said!
Romans 12, forms a pivot in the book (and what a book Romans is!), from what God has done to our response. This isn’t an unusual pattern, Paul’s letters regularly follow this basic format, from doctrine to discipleship eg Ephesians & Colossians).
Here are my 3 points:
Response.
Renewal of the mind.
Right thinking about ourselves.
Response
Paul writes: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice… Romans 12.1
‘Therefore’ because of all that God has done we are to give 100%! We need to reaffirm this decision every day. We can’t grind this response out of ourselves, 100% living is always a response to God free gift His amazing grace! 100% living is always a response to what God has done! We might think we don’t have much to offer, but 100% is always enough. God can use you if you put yourself at His disposal.
Renewal of the mind
Paul writes: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 12.2
An important part of right Christian living is right thinking - we know that the devil uses lies to enslave us. Lies are the main weapon in the devil’s arsenal. Jesus said this about the devil:
When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies…. John 8.44
God wants us to renew our mind through knowledge of the Word of God. Unless we know the truth we won’t know the lies that are fed to us daily through the media & the reactions of others. Have you ever been in a hall of mirrors that distort how you look? This can be funny but life can be like going through a hall of mirrors and what we get, through the media & other people, is a distorted image of ourselves. Unless we know the truth we can’t live the truth or find freedom.
Right thinking about ourselves!
Paul writes: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Rom 12.3
I’ve struggled with right thinking about myself so much! The situation Paul was writing to was where some Christians thought too highly about themselves! I want to turn this passage upside down and consider those of us who don’t think highly enough about their importance in the body of Christ or the life transforming power of faith. With both those who think too highly or lowly about themselves the focus is
wrong (ourselves) rather than Christ and what He can do through us. An inflated or deflated view of ourselves will only get in the way of the truly powerful things God wants to do through you! Are you inflated or deflated Christian or a Christ centred Christian?
I challenge you to meditate on Romans 12 and allow the Bible to transform your life.
Big Blessings
Ray Yates