Christian living:
Rom 12:1 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.
As we study the book of Romans, we find that in chapters 1-11, Paul is showing us the difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews were proud of their ancestry and thoughts that their adherence to the law was sufficient. Paul shows us that we are all sinners in the sight of Elohim. Now, laying aside the differences between the Jew and the Gentile, he addresses all men as brothers. He draws no distinction between men and shows that all are equal in Elohim’s sight. Paul has finished his doctrinal discussion and turns to the practical aspect of how believers should live.
We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices. In the Old Testament days, people used to offer sacrifices as atonement for sin. When an animal was offered to Elohim, the person would forfeit all claim and rights to the animal or sacrifice. Paul here is telling the believers to offer themselves as sacrifice to Elohim and forfeit all claims to their lives. Our lives should be like the sacrificial animal, without spot or blemish (Lev.22:19-20; Mal.1:8). The offerings of the pagan; the pilgrimages of the Muslims; the self-inflicted penalties of the Roman Catholics, which are not commanded by Elohim, cannot be acceptable to him. People are not to invent services. They should do just what Elohim requires of them, and that will be acceptable to Elohim. To please him should be our highest aim; the fact that we do please him is our highest reward. The proper worship of Elohim is the free homage of the mind. It is not forced, it is voluntary. No other can be a true offering, and no other can be acceptable. We are to offer our entire selves, all that we have to Elohim. The character of Elohim is a character of mercy; of long-continued and patient forbearance, and it should influence us to devote ourselves to him. He has every possible claim on our affections and our hearts.
Be not conformed to this world. The world here means an age or generation. Conform means acceptance and following after. We are instructed not to follow after the customs of people prevalent in the times we are living in. The spirit of the world is opposed to that of Elohim. It is a spirit of mischief., i.e. satan. The world system, which is manipulated by satan, the ‘Prince of this world’, is very attractive and men fall easily to its’ temptations. We Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world or the people who do not know Elohim. It is easy to make a compromise with the world in the way we dress, eat, behave with others, but ultimately we are answerable to Elohim (Rev.20:12). We should not indulge in the vanities and attractive things of the world, but rather, turn away from worldly things and turn towards the standards set down in the Bible. 2Co 5:17,’Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ When we are made clean, washed by the blood of Messiah, our lives undergo a change. We must not mind earthly things but we should ‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth’.(Col 3:2).
Use your gifts sincerely. The Holy Spirit has given us gifts, according to our abilities and according to the measure of our faith. These gifts are to be used to the glory of Elohim and not for our own ends. We must always be careful that we do it the Lord's way only. Paul mentions three gifts: giving, ruling and showing mercy. Paul says that the gifts are to be used with simplicity, diligence and cheerfulness. We should use our gifts with a pure heart, to the best of our ability to make a difference in the lives of others while there is time and should fill our hearts with unlimited joy and excitement. Our exercise of these gifts should be a matter of joy and not just a job to be done.
Love one another with brotherly affection. ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’ (Lev.19:18). Messiah called this one of the two greatest commandments. If we live our lives as these verses instruct, our lives would be changed, transformed completely. Our love towards our fellowmen should be open, honest and without any pretense.
We are to love one another with a faithful devotion. We are commanded to put others ahead of our own self. We are to be diligent in whatever work we do, whether secular or spiritual (Eccl. 9:10). We are to help our neighbors as their needs arise. Gal. 6:2,’Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.’ The command here is to be pleasant and kind to others, regardless of what they may do to us! Instead of being jealous when another is blessed, let us be excited with him because of the Lord's grace and goodness. Instead of being indifferent when a time of crisis arises in the life of our brother, let us try to enter into his need and help him carry his load.
In our personal walk before the Lord, we are to hate the evil and be glued to that which is right. When we were saved, we were bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6:19-20. We belong to Jesus and are to be His faithful servants.
Walk In Fellowship. We are to operate as a family, with each member feeling the hurts and afflictions of another. We are all members of the body of Messiah, so we should to stand together as one, working for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be in fellowship with one another, ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching’.(Heb 10:25) . We are commanded to practice forgiveness one toward another, (Luke 17:1-4; Eph. 4:32.).
Live peaceably with all men. So far as we are concerned, we are to seek peace. Family members with one another, masters with their servants, and servants with their masters; and so on with all we are connected with in a spiritual relation, as members of Messiah, and in the same church, everyone should be at peace among themselves, (1Thes.5:13); peace should rule in their hearts.
Being a good Christian does not mean reading the Bible and going to church regularly. Our whole lives should be transformed to reflect Messiah’s presence in our lives.
