In The Service Of The Lord

Biblical reference: Romans 12; 13:1-4

When we are saved and become the Children/Sons of God we are also commisioned as His servants to spread the Word of God to all peoples of all Nations. With this new life and new assignment comes certain expectations and requirements as well will see in the following verses from Romans 12:1-21.

(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." Here we see that by God’s mercies we are

redeemed and in our redemption we must become living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable unto God. This is part of our reasonable service as his children to the one who has redeemed us. This means that we do not

yeild to the temptations of the flesh, the mind or the world. Instead we become overcomers to the temptation and sins of the world. Verse two tells us this.(2) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." By not conforming to this world we become transformed in our minds and our spirits to that

which is of God.In doing so we also prove all that is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God

In verse 3 we are instructed that God’s grace is given to all of us and we should refrain from thinking highly of ourselves. It is a vain and sinful thing to think oneself better than another..even unto the sinner. We are to be ever mindful that we are no better than anyone else on this planet and that though we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb, we are still imperfect. We do not become and are not invincible once we become saved, nor are we part of an exclusive club that keeps us from all the problems, sorrows, tragedies or complexities of this world. In fact as a

child of Christ, we suffer more. This is the "Narrow Road" that is spoken of in the Bible in Matthew 7:14 . It is a road that is filled with adversty, trials and tribulations but with God beside us and if we

maintain our faith in Him that has given us each a measure of faith;, He will help us to overcome and help us to endure. For those that take the broad road, sure they will have it far more easier, but in the end there will be hell to pay...literally! (3) "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God

hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

In verses 4-6 we realize that we are all members of the Body of Christ, but different with different purposes and functions. (4)"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:" (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.(6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith". Here we see that God gives us all gifts, but not "all gifts". Each one is given a spiritual gift according to his/her

measure of faith and grace of God. Each one of us that is given a certain gift must use it wisely and to the Glory of God. We must always remember that we are part of the body of Christ and in that rememberance we must also act accordingly; so as not to demean or blemish that body. We must work in harmony with the rest of the Body of Christ in order to function properly as a whole. As we go on in our study we see that it also refers to the ministry. (7) "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with

brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."

When we minister to or teach others, Paul tells us that we should wait. Why? Because our great teacher, Jesus, will give us what we need to teach. It doesn’t come from the theological, Philisophical, or

homilitical point of view in man’s world - but from the Word of God and the Lord, Himself. We have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and the Word of the Lord not only feeds us as individuals, but it also teaches us, so that we may teach others. When we exhort we must do it in simplicity not in lod bravadoes. This means that we do not force our exhortations upon