Values of the Few
… in the culture.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
— Romans 12:1-2
Embrace willing sacrifice
The term “living sacrifice” means, a “sacrifice that is alive”. Because sacrifices by nature are “in death”, this passage communicates an oxymoron of sorts because the concept is that we ourselves climb upon an altar an willingly offer ourselves … while alive. The figurative aspect of this is that we will have to “kill” our personal desires to do this. Because we are not our own and are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), willing participants see this action as dutiful honor. Moment by willing moment we must live on the sacrificial altar.
Cultivate a will to be acceptable
True Christ followers know that they are accepted solely because of the costly, sacrificial blood of Jesus’ death on the cross. However, regarding the life of an intentional disciple, we also understand that Old Testament sacrifices were not “left-overs”. They were the first and best of the flock. The spirit of this passage communicates a life that, by intent, is striving to be “worthy of sacrifice”, set apart for God and pursuing holiness. This is the reasonable thing to do in gracious response to being accepted as a redeemed son of the King.
Strive to be unlike the world
“Not conformed to this world” does mean something. It means functioning with a different mindset. Understanding what is of the world and what is of the Spirit is essential. We will explore this subject with great specificity within the blogs on this site.
Pursue a new (Biblical) way of thinking
Redeemed from darkness, intentional pursuers of Light know the tainted, natural mind has a propensity to bend away from the Lord. A transformation of the mind is needed, ongoing and must be constantly pursued. This process, in time and by example, will produce ongoing oneness with the mind of Christ. Discerning our surroundings, illuminating God’s way as opposed to the ways of the word around us needs to be processed and implemented.
IN THE WORLD.
NOT OF THE WORLD.
ENGAGING THE WORLD.
We know that we are a society of sinful human beings. This illuminates several foundational areas that we need to understand …
- SINNERS LOVE SIN. (JOHN 3:19)
- SINNERS WILL SIN. (GALATIANS 5:19-21A)
- REDEEMED SINNERS PROVIDE HOPE AMID DESPAIR. (EPHESIANS 5:8)
- THE ROAD IS NARROW. (MATTHEW 7:13)
- WE WILL BE FEW. (MATTHEW 7:14)
- A LITTLE LIGHT DISPELS DARKNESS. (EPHESIANS 5:13-14)
Are you willing to be one of the Few?
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