Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A living sacrifice

Romans 12:1-21
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment(清醒的判斷), in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayerShare with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality(熱情好客).
Love others in following ways:
1)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 2)Rejoice with those who rejoice; 3)mourn with those who mourn. 4)Live in harmony with one another. 5)Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 6)Do not be conceited.
The transformation begins as individuals take their place in the new 'family' of Christ.
Our own stock must go down: our opinion of others, up. The gifts God gives are to be used for the good of the whole Christian community.
Love is the hallmark. We are to serve God without flagging. Old attitudes must change - not only towards fellow Christians but towards the outside world. Instead of giving tit-for-tat when we are wronged, we treat the enemy as out best friend, ad leave God to do the judging.
Why?
Living sacrifice: serve the Lord with holy behavior and do the best to please God. There is not me, but Jesus Christ. Empty myself, let oil of God may fill me.
Be humble, do not ever think I am higher than any other. But have faith to the Lord, I am the son of God.
We are one in Christ, we are member of body of Christ. What is my gift, then do it to server others.
Five points that I need to do  1)joyful in hope, 2)patient in affliction, 3)faithful in prayer. 4)share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 5)practice hospitality
How?
God is love, and I am under the grace of Christ so be humble and love others, even love who persecute me, bless and do not curse.


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