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Transformed
Today's reading is a bit awkward in its division as it covers a somewhat difficult end to chapter 11, then moves into a major shift in chapter 12. As in most of his letters, Paul spends the first part of Romans on what could be called more theological matters, then spends the final section on more practical matters. In Romans, the first 11 chapters are heavy on theology and chapter 12 moves us into what will be a series of practical issues.
As I said, the end of 11 can be difficult to understand, so if you have any questions, please let me know. I want to deal with the beginning of 12 here:
"I appeal to you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
I want to just take a minute with this and not deal with any questions or problems or issues. Let's just take an aside because I want to speak directly to you readers of the NT in a Year blog and any person in our youth group or church: this is my appeal to you. These verses above are why I do what I do. Amidst the frustrations and accusations and successes and whatever else there is in ministry, this is why I do it. I want you to GET IT. We have been given a gift: life. And what is life for? If you really believe the Bible, it's about bringing glory to God and enjoying Him and the abundant, overflowing life He gives. In return, He asks both nothing and everything. Nothing because no work or money can buy grace; everything because it will cost your very self. These are important words and I've said and written them before, PLEASE - I really want you to truly get them. Life is not about you, its about laying yourself on the altar, not for slaughter like in Leviticus, but as a LIVING sacrifice, continually offered up to honor God.
How? Don't be conformed to the world. Don't fit into the mold the world wants to put you in, where people work till they die to make money and have houses and clothes and whatever it is that people want that they'll never be able to take with them when they die. Don't be conformed. Be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. As I've said before, if we are Christians, we are citizens of an upside-down kingdom. Our natural bent is to be conformed to the world, but we need to go to God's word and experienced Christians to seek out Kingdom perspective: to be transformed by God and to understand who we truly are and will be.
The biggest problem? Most of us, at least as American Christians, don't want to make a choice. We want both God and the world. John is clear: you can't serve two masters that ask opposing things. You can't keep one foot on the boat and one on the dock when the boat is leaving. You need to make a decision.
So that's what I want from all of you: make a decision. Choose this day whom you will serve and stop pretending like you can have both. God offers us eternal joy - I ask that you receive it and stop messing around in the dirt. Please. Please. Please.
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
-C.S. Lewis
Transformed
Today's reading is a bit awkward in its division as it covers a somewhat difficult end to chapter 11, then moves into a major shift in chapter 12. As in most of his letters, Paul spends the first part of Romans on what could be called more theological matters, then spends the final section on more practical matters. In Romans, the first 11 chapters are heavy on theology and chapter 12 moves us into what will be a series of practical issues.
As I said, the end of 11 can be difficult to understand, so if you have any questions, please let me know. I want to deal with the beginning of 12 here:
"I appeal to you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
I want to just take a minute with this and not deal with any questions or problems or issues. Let's just take an aside because I want to speak directly to you readers of the NT in a Year blog and any person in our youth group or church: this is my appeal to you. These verses above are why I do what I do. Amidst the frustrations and accusations and successes and whatever else there is in ministry, this is why I do it. I want you to GET IT. We have been given a gift: life. And what is life for? If you really believe the Bible, it's about bringing glory to God and enjoying Him and the abundant, overflowing life He gives. In return, He asks both nothing and everything. Nothing because no work or money can buy grace; everything because it will cost your very self. These are important words and I've said and written them before, PLEASE - I really want you to truly get them. Life is not about you, its about laying yourself on the altar, not for slaughter like in Leviticus, but as a LIVING sacrifice, continually offered up to honor God.
How? Don't be conformed to the world. Don't fit into the mold the world wants to put you in, where people work till they die to make money and have houses and clothes and whatever it is that people want that they'll never be able to take with them when they die. Don't be conformed. Be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. As I've said before, if we are Christians, we are citizens of an upside-down kingdom. Our natural bent is to be conformed to the world, but we need to go to God's word and experienced Christians to seek out Kingdom perspective: to be transformed by God and to understand who we truly are and will be.
The biggest problem? Most of us, at least as American Christians, don't want to make a choice. We want both God and the world. John is clear: you can't serve two masters that ask opposing things. You can't keep one foot on the boat and one on the dock when the boat is leaving. You need to make a decision.
So that's what I want from all of you: make a decision. Choose this day whom you will serve and stop pretending like you can have both. God offers us eternal joy - I ask that you receive it and stop messing around in the dirt. Please. Please. Please.
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
-C.S. Lewis
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