Romans
12:1-2: 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. 2And 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
It
is one of the most important events of one’s life: the moment a person
recognises that they have been ‘called of God.’ It is like a conscription
notice into the Lord’s army. Such people are in good company - Jesus says that ‘many
are called’ (Matthew 22:14). That’s the easy part. However, how do we
attain to the second and more important part of the statement: ‘but few are
chosen’? How to we go from merely ‘called’ to gloriously ‘chosen?’
More specifically, how do we practically respond to the call of God?
First,
understand that this is about the most important thing you can do, apart from
accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Every other weighty decision of
your life, including where to live, what profession to pursue, who to marry,
will all be affected with how you respond to God’s call.
The
good news is that God’s Word is not just precepts and inspiriting stories,
important as they are. It also full of practical application tips so that if
you follow them through, you will be a candidate for life-change.
The
above verses from Romans 12 help us in this regard. Let’s see what we
can glean:
1.
Mercies of God: This practical passage
follows right after the great treatise on God and Israel, Romans 9-11. It
speaks how God desires to show mercy on us all. Now, in light of God’s great
mercy, the very least you can do is give Him everything you have, including
your body as a living sacrifice.
2.
Present your bodies: This speaks
of ‘consecration,’ dedicating yourself and your body to the cause of Christ and
His kingdom. It matters less where the consecration takes place - at the church
altar, at the pew, or even in your home - as much as the sincerity and
single-mindedness of heart when coming forward. This author responded to a call
to serve God overseas when he was 21. It was at the church altar. Though
sincerely done, he did not really expect anything to happen. It did. Within
months, he was heading overseas and has been so ever since. In such
consecration, your whole body is dedicated to God. Your hands will be used for
service, your legs feet will be graced with the gospel of peace, your arms will
empty strength to work, your mouth will speak wise words, seasoned with salt.
No longer is your body to be used for carnal purposes; it now belongs rightly
to God.
3.
Living sacrifice: Normally, the act of
sacrifice results in the death of the object of sacrifice, whether it is of
bulls, goats, pigeons, doves, or of Jesus Christ Himself. However, a living
sacrifice speaks of self-denial and daily cross-bearing (Luke 9:23), while
simultaneously being fully alive to God. Indeed, the consecrated, Spirit-filled
person should be more alive, vibrant, empowered, and energetic, than
ever-before.
TO
BE CONTINUED
PART
05
RECAP
STEPS
4.
Forget the world: In response to the
call of God, we need to learn how to turn our backs on the world. This phrase ‘the
world’ can be misunderstood. We are not talking about planet earth, with the
beautiful trees, waterways, terrain, and skies. Instead, it has to do with the cosmos,
the worldly government order or system, under the immediate command of
fallen humanity but ultimately under satanic influence. The Bible teaches that
the whole world lies under the wicked one XXX; Satan is ‘prince’ XXX and ‘god’ XXX
of this world. Scripture condemns friendship with the world, which is rightly
considered enmity towards God (XXXX). For those who crave to be ‘relevant’ with
the world, be very careful: you cannot please God and the world, anymore than
you can serve God and mammon XXX. Therefore, in responding to God’s call to
become a living sacrifice, Paul gives us a straightforward command: Do not
conform to the world. If we insist in thinking, acting, speaking and supporting
the world’s agenda, we are of no use to God. If we repudiate these things, we
become useable and fruitful.
5.
Renew the mind: Responding to the call
of God promises transformation - we will be like new people. Such
transformation comes by the renewal of our minds. We will be like the thoughts
we think or as scripture teaches, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he XXX).
Renewal of the mind is like a detox and reprogramming of our thoughts. This
takes time and discipline. Four ways to renew the mind include: 1) The Word of
God - memorise in your mind, retain in your heart, confess with your mouth; 2)
The cross of Christ. Embracing the cross, as Paul did (Galatians 6:14?), means
you will relinquish bad thoughts and they will be replaced with good. 3) The
Holy Spirit will help you think new thoughts; let Him lead you in this area; 4)
Christian fellowship - you will be like the company you keep (Proverbs 13:20?),
so make sure you are with people who ‘fear the Lord,’ have the right
priorities, and will be a positive influence on you (and vice-versa)
6.
Understand God’s Will: If you will
follow through with all the above mentioned steps, the greatest benefit is
divine direction. A world-denying, renewed mind will be in an optimal position
to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Furthermore, you will be
able to seek God and exercise your faith to obtain the provision necessary to
fulfil His will. Then ‘write the vision,’ make it plain, so whoever reads it
will run with it (habakkuk). Once you know God’s will, write it down, put the
appropriate Scripture promises with it, and confess these passages to the Lord.
You will be amazed when God’s will comes to pass before your eyes. But no
wonder, you laid the groundwork with proper consecration, totally on God’s
terms.
God
bless you.
NOTE:
in summary, do what every you can to draw close to God, knowing He will drove
close to you in return. James 4:8
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