“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 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.
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:1-9
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16
Paul had just described the magnificent grace of God in reaching the Gentiles with the gospel, so overcome with awe and amazement that he broke out in spontaneous praise and benediction. Now how were all those blessed recipients to live? Because of God’s fore-planned pursuit of them, because He was worthy, because His riches were deep and His ways inscrutable, therefore he urged them to offer themselves wholly to Him and His kingdom service. To tap into those riches and align with His judgments and live out His glorious character among men. (Romans 11:33-36)
The Lord has high expectations for His people as stewards of His grace. He has not only saved us from a sure destruction, but unto a meaningful life of service to Him. The talents and resources and sanctified attributes He bestows are to reflect His grace as they fulfill His purposes. He calls us to lay down our lives in order to live with vibrancy and zeal, our every day an offering of worship back to the One who gave it. Does spiritual worship describe our daily outlook and effort? Matthew 25:14-30
It’s vital our minds be regularly renewed so they are strong against the pattern of this world. Social media and constant mantras become ear worms and brain eaters, requiring constant infiltration and cleansing of the fresh water of the word. Rejuvenated both spiritually and mentally, we can reasonably engage with our God-given gifts to build up the church and advance His kingdom. How seriously do we take His command? What are we doing to renew our thinking?
And how are we living out His therefore mandate, putting into practice the Spirit He’s planted in us and our gifts? When offered to Him in humility and sobriety, they do much to develop and energize HIs people, to His ends.
Lord, inspire my zeal to love You by serving others for Your sake and glory.
As the rain and snow 