GIVE YOUR BODIES

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28, Romans 12:1-21, Psalm 22:19-31, & Proverbs 20:8-10

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

We live in a world today where being a Christian isn’t that much different than being a sinner. It is common for people in the family of God to live lives nearly identical to those who live outside the family of God. It doesn’t appear that there is much difference in lifestyle. This should NEVER be the case!

There are popular teachings that pervert the grace of God. There is a thread of universalism in much teaching today. It seems to me that many think that everybody is just saved. It is the opinion of a lot of people that all you have to do to get into heaven is die. What you do in this life, according to some, has no weight on eternal things because God loves us all & we are living in the dispensation of grace & mercy. I want to make a very direct statement—

This goes against the teachings of Christ.

Matthew 7:21-23

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

There are some things that we just don’t do anymore. We are new creatures in Christ. We have a new identity. We have a new Father. We have a new purpose. All of these things are true but the only way to have a new life is to STOP CONFORMING TO THE PATTERN OF THE WORLD!

The world is always trying to press Christians into its mold. Many Christians like the mold that world cast. It allows them to:

1.      Continue drinking & partying.

2.      Have sex with whoever they want.

3.      Lie & manipulate.

4.      Have little to no integrity.

5.      Outbursts of anger.

6.      Cheat for gain.

7.      Rob God by not tithing.

8.      Remain selfish & self-centered.

Our lives are not our own. They belong to Christ. We are told that the way to REALLY WORSHIP God is by giving Him our bodies. Today there is this perverted idea that the church with the best music has the best worship. Even this is conforming to the world’s way of thinking. WORSHIP HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH MUSIC!!! Worship is a lifestyle. According to the bible, TRUE WORSHIP is what we do with our lives, not what we sing with our lips. This is worshipping in spirit & in truth.

I want to encourage you to renew your mind to the teachings that are in the bible. Read the scripture & you will see that your life in Christ is much different than your life in the world. God has much grace to give but it is intended to bring about change. Don’t receive the grace of God in vain. Let it transform you & your life. I want to leave you with a text that speaks to this matter.

Ephesians 4:20-32

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Pastor Richard Schlotter