The appeal that Paul makes in Romans 12:1-2, to the believers in Rome and to all believers, is very familiar to most people, but not always understood!
12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
I remember hearing, especially as a new believer, all of the "things" that a Christian should do, and NOT do, because we are representing Him. We were told how to think, speak and act so that we would never besmirch the Name of Jesus. This is so NOT what we are to be taught as new believers! These instructions from Paul, when acted upon, are the only things we need to give attention to doing in order to represent Jesus properly in the earth! We MUST surrender to Him and His will in order for Holy Spirit to be able to continue the good work in us that He began at the New Birth! When we spend time getting to really know Jesus (Philippians 3:10 AMP), we will fall more in love with Him every day! This love will draw us into a deeper and more powerful fellowship with Him that will cause us to develop a real hunger for His Word and His presence! THAT is how HE intends for this life to work! When we try in our own strength to keep a list of dos and don'ts, we will fail, grow weary and feel like giving up and quitting. When we spend time in His presence, getting to know Him, the work in us will be a supernatural work by the Spirit of God inside of us and it will be HIS strength that empowers us to be changed, from the inside out! It will no longer be a hardship, but a great joy! We will live a life of gratefulness, thankfulness and praise, which will reflect HIM to those we come in contact with. Make the choice today to allow Holy Spirit to work His work in you! People will look at YOU and they will see JESUS! AMEN! Now look at, and celebrate with, these verses from today's reading in Psalm 84:
4 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. ... 7 They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion. ... 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]! AMP
Shalom in Him!
