Our Personal Responsibility To GOD
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
In Romans 12:1-16 Paul gives us guidance for living a redeemed life in a fallen world. By the mercies of God, we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, that is our reasonable service to God. Many people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and never learn how to live a life that honors our Heavenly Father. Paul encourages us to turn ourselves over to God each day and ask Him to use us for His glory. We are not to be conformed to this world but should experience a progressive transformation of life by the renewing of our minds. The mind is changed by prayer, reading of Scripture, and reflection on God’s Word; by worship, and meditation on God’s acts as the Holy Spirit works in us. God wants us to be new people with renewed minds We are transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can live to honor and obey God our Father. Since God only wants what is best for us, we should joyfully volunteer ourselves for His service. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values must be firmly founded in our minds. Then only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed. (Reference Romans 12:1-2).
The key to an honest and accurate evaluation of ourselves is knowing our identity in Christ. Apart from Him, we aren’t capable of very much by eternal standards. Christians are to work together under the authority of Jesus Christ. (Reference 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16). As part of a renewed mind, the Christian is to think wisely about themself and what their function is to be in the body of Christ (the church, see 1 Corinthians 12:12-28).
If we think too much about our worth in the eyes of others, we miss our true value in God’s eyes. (Reference 12:3). Christians are to be humble and to use what God has given for the good of the body (the church). (Based on Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; Ephesians 4:11; 1Peter 4:10). It is when we discover how awesome it is to live in the center of God’s Will that we discover it is life at its very best – and there is nothing in this world that compares to it. (Reference Romans 12:2-3).
Christians are all members, being many, form one body in Christ, and every one member one of another. “So, we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if it is prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith” (Romans 12:5-6). Christians are given gifts to use for the good of others. The New Testament lists at least 17 kinds of gifts. We should love and support each other with love and gladness and we are to work together under the authority of Jesus Christ. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16).
For us to use God’s given gifts effectively:
- Realize all our gifts and abilities come from God.
- Understand not all have the same God-given gifts and talents.
- Know who you are and what you do best in your Christian faith.
- Dedicate your gifts to God’s service, not personal success.
- Be willing to use your God-given gifts, holding nothing back from God’s service.
Our purpose is to be faithful and seek ways to serve what God has given us and realize that our gifts can’t do the work of the church alone. (Reference Romans 12:6-8). God gives us gifts so we can help build up His church.
Be thankful for the gifts God has given to others – gifts that are completely different from ours. As Christians let your strengths balance other Christian’s weaknesses and be grateful for the abilities of others to make up for your deficiencies. Together we can build a church. No individual can express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ (the church) does. We are all weak in some areas and strong in others. (Reference Romans 14:1). In areas of strength, we should not fear being defiled by the world. We should go and serve God. In areas of weakness, we need to be cautious. If we have a strong faith and shelter it, we are not doing Christ’s work in the world. If we have a weak faith but expose it, we are being extremely foolish.
Each person is accountable, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God”. (Romans 14:12). We are to be strong in our faith and sensitive to others’ needs. “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13). We need to constantly monitor the effect of our behavior on others. Accept one another without judging. For the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:18-19).
“For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus, That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God” (Romans 15:4-6). Our service entails the dedication of the total person to living for God’s honor. As servants of Christ, we are doing the Will of God from the heart.
Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with. (Reference 1 Corinthians 12:7). Knowledge of Scripture Affects Our Attitude toward the present day and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater our confidence in what He will do in days to come. We should read and study our Bibles diligently to increase our trust that God’s Will is best for us. (Reference Romans 15:4).
_________________________________________
Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County. She is the mother of five grown children. Glenda is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She writes Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. Also testing the field in tributes, individual memorial writings, etc. You can read more good Christian news from Glenda HERE.
_________________________________________
