by David Brenneman
'Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2.
"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8.
Your life is the sum of the responses you have made toward God. Once God makes Himself known to you, what you do next is your decision. Your reaction reflects what you believe about Him - Blackaby on Matthew 19:22. 'The rich young ruler'.
Seems as though we're not done with our consideration of that thought from Blackaby.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29.
Do you see where all this leads? A life in Christ is to be lived to the best of our abilities with whatever Spiritual gifts we have had bestowed upon us not to our glory but to the glory of Him who saved us who is Christ the Lord.
We are to remind ourselves daily by being in the Word of God of our need to honor everything that Jesus did for us.
Since our lives are a sum of our responses to God in our lives, should not we strive to listen and obey? Shouldn't we do more to take our will and set it aside?
It's really sad to consider that flavors are in the world today of the Pharisees and Sadducees...within the professing Church. The Great Commission brooks no exclusions. In other words there are no exceptions. Jesus said to go to all the world. We don't decide where we will or won't go.
In our intentional interactions with the Spirit of God and growing in Christ we are to develop the character of Christ in us. Jesus went wherever the Father bid Him to go. Even to a Samaritan woman. Even to lepers. Even to tax collectors. Even to the demon possessed. Even to politicians. We know only a sampling of all who's lives He changed or attempted to change. Ecclesiates says there's nothing new under the sun. He probably ran across even homosexuals and all other types of people. Sin had perverted mankind since before the Genesis Flood.
The "you shouldn't judge" crowd of Pharisees these days should realize that it's not our place to decide who should or shouldn't be saved. That's what kind of judgment we aren't to partake of. We don't decide who is or isn't worthy of hearing or seeing the Gospel message.
Our life is to be a wonderful witness before mankind of the manifold grace of God unto salvation in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Our reactions to our interactions with God reflects our hearts not just before mankind but before Christ Jesus Himself.
People who say they just can't forgive someone of something...must realize the Scriptures say you must if you expect Christ to forgive you. If you don't then you won't be forgiven.
People wonder why Believers are put in some of the most horrible of situations. In the case of a man wrongfully imprisoned under horrific circumstances and conditions...he said he prayed to God asking why he was going through such things. Twice, he says, God replied with "because you can handle it".
People in the Church aren't to avoid those in the world. We are to be lights in the world. Taking the Light of Jesus Christ wherever He sends us. Even if it's to a homosexual wedding or a prison or a neighbor you have just never gotten along with.
Consider this...once a light source is illuminated it never discriminates where it goes and what the light lands on. It's not responsible for the reaction for that which is revealed by it.
In the renewing of our minds before the Lord we are to take on His attributes, His character, displaying His unconditional love for all mankind.
You who pick n choose based on whatever is biasing you...do you not realize that THAT person you are avoiding, maybe even hating, could be the last person who will be saved before the Rapture of the Church takes place? There is GOING to be a Believer who obeys God and shares the gospel to that last person.
We aren't to affirm nor condemn those in this world who are deliberately practicing lawlessness. We are to be lights in the world that reflect Christ and it is Christ through the work of the Spirit of God who changes lives. We don't save anyone. Jesus saves.
You, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus, have a wonderful purpose assigned to you by the Spirit of God. Scripture says that the Spirit sets people in the body of Christ as He sees fit. You have what you need to be that particular part of the body of Christ to the glory of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ through the work of the Spirit of God within us.
Modern day Pharisees have everything in common with the Pharisees of old. Do not touch do not eat do not do this do not do that. Don't associate with the lowly. Avoid the sinners of the world.
So look at your life and first be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. Then be sure you are indeed obeying your calling and your purpose in Christ. Let go of whatever is taking your attention away from the righteous life that God desires for you. Throw your prejudices to the feet of the cross of Jesus Christ. Nail them there.
As workers in His fields we are to do as instructed, we aren't to choose what we will or won't do.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Listen to Jesus.
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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