"Living Sacrifices"

"God didn't create you to conform to the hopeless goals of the walking dead."

This was the powerful interpretation of Romans 12:1,2 from our preacher, Dr. Jason Locke, yesterday.

He gave us a little history and literature lesson on the book of Romans, explaining that the first 11 chapters of Romans tell us how "God has been incredibly merciful and gracious and wants to have a relationship with us, and has done a lot to make that happen." Then, Romans 12-15 gives us a challenge: "In light of all God has done, this is how you should live."

That makes Romans 12:1,2, the linchpin that connects the two main parts of Romans, leaving readers with the question: "So, what are you going to do about it?"

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1,2 (New International Version)

"Your definition of success and accomplishment are not always the same as God's definition," he informed us. "Once you start playing that game (of conforming to the world's goals for success and accomplishment), society relentlessly pushes to you to achieve those goals, which are based on standards that are cruel, unrealistic and shifting."

In light of God's incredible love for us, creation of the world for our enjoyment and provision, and sacrifice to regain a relationship with us after man sinned in the Garden of Eden, the only rational, logical response is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God, allowing Him to transform us into "something unique in God's kingdom, beyond what you would imagine!"

To pursue idolatry (which is possession and control of the created world for our own purposes) as opposed to a relationship with the God who created everything in this world, is a form of insanity. It is utterly irrational and foolish.

I have heard that neurotics build castles in the sky and psychotics move into them! We laugh. But, the longer we live, the more we experience the downright cruel, empty promises of idolatry, that promise things they can never deliver, lure people into investing their whole lives in ventures that rob them of peace, joy and a clean conscience at the end of the day, and blame the investor for their foolishness in not researching the empty and deceptive claims of the promise before being lured in!

Humble, dedicated service to God is the only rational response to God's love. Anything else is insanity.

It reminds me of the Apostle John, the apostle of love. After writing many, many chapters on God's love for us and our privilege and duty of loving God and other people, he ended his book with the simple plea:
"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21 (New International Version)

Do you want to live a successful life? A life that counts for something? Then give it to God and it will be successful! That was the closing challenge from Dr. J.

God will give you the freedom to discover your true purpose and identity. He will not require you to conform to the expectations of other people.  The only thing idolatry can offer you is slavery and conformity to the expectations of others.

Don't be conformed to this world, be transformed by the renewing of your mind!

--Posted by Mama O.