Christian Life

Christian life

“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. 
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.  
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;  if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
Romans 12:1-21
To quote a friend, this chapter has a lot to chew on.  Those few words, tell us how we are to live as Christians.  A point form look at this chapter goes like this:
1/ vs. 5    in Christ each member belongs to all the others. We are one in Christ.
2/ vs. 6,7 we have different gifts and are to use them in proportion to our faith.
3/ vs. 9    our love must be sincere
4/ vs. 10  we are to be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
5/ vs. 11  we are to keep up our spiritual fervour, serving God.
6/ vs. 12  we are to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
7 vs. 13  share with God’s people, who are in need & practice hospitality
8/ vs. 14  bless our persecutors
9/ vs 15   rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn
10/ vs. 16 live in harmony with each other, don’t be proud, but willing to associate with those in low positions.
11/ vs. 17  don’t repay evil with evil & do right in the eyes of everyone
12/ vs. 18  as far as it depends on you live in peace with everyone
13/ vs. 19  do not take revenge
14/ vs. 20  if your enemy is hungry feed him, if thirsty give him a drink
15/ vs. 21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
What a list, a list we all fail to follow from time to time.
The reason, we fall short many times, is because we allow the secular world culture, around us to get into the church and into our lives.  A quick look around the church, today, shows us we have a “Christian version” of everything the world has.
Many in the church, hardly read the Bible.  These people rely on the words of pastors, preachers, and other evangelists, both in church and in the media. That’s if they rely or listen to any preacher from Sunday to Sunday.
All too often, as I have discussed a topic with other Sunday School teachers, I hear “this television evangelists said this” or “that radio preacher said that.”
When I question them, how those evangelists and preachers came to that conclusion, or why they themselves believe it, they can’t tell me.
They can’t tell me because they haven’t taken the time to read for themselves the Word of God.
The only way to know to be a Christian is to study God’s manual on how to be a Christian, the Bible!
No evangelist, preacher, Christian teacher, priest, bishop or pope has all the answers, simply because they are human with human frailties, like all of us.
The Bible has been called a living book, that speaks to the individual, who reads it.  Revealing to them the wonders of God, no matter who they are.

Something to do:
Pick up the Bible and read it slowly and deliberately. Ask God to show you His truths within.
Your life and your relationship with God will be richer for it.
Think about it.