Romans 12 (KJV)
12 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.
Bodies that are not polluted in mind, spirit or soul by the rhetoric that society ahs infiltrated into the church as an acceptable response to social morays. Guard our hearts and mind.
2 And 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.
If we are acting like and responding like the world to the troubles of this world using the words of the world to respond to the challenges of this world. Pleading for our pound of flesh like they world. Condemning people. places, things, ideologies without gaining the fact like the world then how are we demonstrating transformation.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Are we applying this principle to the sufferings of the 40,000 million people who will be without health insurance and will die because they have pre-existing conditions or are we thinking soberly about being our brothers’ keeper?
Christian Leadership is demonstrated in the verses below.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Not separated by political agendas but joined in spirit and in truth by the Holy Spirit.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Using our gifts for the enhancement of the Church of the Living God not the political machine that is dividing our nation. We must standout as different. We must be the walking, talking Jesus on the sermon on the mount of folks – especially people who are looking for a place where belonging means they can mess up and still experience warmth and love,
Our daily walking orders from God our Father is Simple
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
How many times have people with need been ignored so we may going on our merry way and entertain ourselves? We live in a culture that says “The Weekend is Mine for me to have some Me Time!” But what happens to the fellowshipping of the saint when the church becomes a scattergram after the sermon and the call to the alter is over? How do we build relationships when we are not talking to each other, getting to know each other. How do we rejoice with each other when a social “How are your doing?” is the only communication we have with each other. How do people ground in an environment when all they here is what is wrong with them or what they are doing.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
HOW DO WE HANDLE CONFLICT?
- 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
- 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
- 16 Be of the same mind one toward another
I have seen a pattern in social media that is disturbing to me. We will post “Get well son” or “you are in my prayers” etc., on the pages of people we have known for a while or sometimes people whom we want to impress. But we consistently ignore the people we may be ticked off with or whom we consider “lesser” beings in out mind. We may not be willing to admit this. But we don’t get to choose who we will pray for. We pray for everyone-even our enemies.
- Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
- 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Demonstrate agape love with all men. All is very inclusive. It is not at all exclusive. This is where we must set aside our petty grievances, our passive aggressive patterns of behavior and pretend that all is well when it is not. This is when we institute the guidelines for conflict resolution in Matthew. Take your issues with your brother to your brother instead of to someone whom your believe “will handle-your brother and the problem for you.” It is hard to tell a person that they must address the problem themselves rather than use a third pattern to be their battering ram. How can we live at peace when we will not initiate peace ourselves.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Does this Scripture apply to our enemies in 2017? If God is the all powerful god in whom we believe. I believe that it does.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Weapons do not bring a about resolutions and our make a nation powerful. GOD DOES!
You Are Not the Only One 