July 3, 2018

"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." Romans 12:2

Someone has said. "The biggest room in the world is the room for change."

It's hard to argue with this unless you happen to be perfect. If you think you are perfect check with your spouse.

Change is, in fact, inevitable. You will change for the better or you will change for the worse. 

So, the operative questions become, "Will I take charge of my change?" and "How will change happen?"

Change generally happens in one of three ways; by conforming, by reforming or by transforming.

In the above text the great Apostle urges a spiritual transformation. Transformation denotes a fundamental change in essence of your nature. When He wrote this phrase, Paul chose the Greek word "metamorpho". Does that sound familiar? It should! We get our English word "metamorphosis" from this root.

Metamorphosis describes the process that changes a lowly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. Obviously, it is a radical change in nature!

So, what do you need to do in order to have your nature fundamentally transformed? Look back to the previous verse, "...offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God...".

You do the offering and He will do the transforming!

How do you know if you have been transformed?

You will have a renewed mind! A mind that thinks like Jesus and values like Jesus and makes wise decisions like Jesus and loves truth.

Are you conforming and going with the flow? Are you just going along to get along and being shaped by the culture around you?

Are you reforming by trying to somehow improve yourself?

Or, are you willing to surrender yourself to the transforming power of God?

July 2, 2018

^"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth. 

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship.

Followers of Jesus Christ possess dual citizenship. They belong to the nation of their birth and they are citizens of Heaven. While we live as citizens of this world we are to be preparing for the next. At the same time the Scriptures tell us, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

Ironically, our citizenship in Heaven was made possible by One Who, as a citizen of that world, came to take up citizenship in this world to die for our sins.

This Citizen Who made our citizenship possible, came from a righteous place and was born in a righteous way to qualify Him to become a sacrifice for our sins. But between His righteous birth and His sacrificial death was a lifetime of righteous living. He was righteous when He left Heaven, He was righteous when He arrived in the manger in Bethlehem, and He was still righteous as He was being nailed to the cross. But, He became unrighteous as He took our transgressions upon Himself on that cross. Because of His righteous obedience to the will of His Father in making righteousness available to you and me, He regained His righteousness!

Are you thankful to be a citizen of the great USA?

As you celebrate your freedom as an American over this long Fourth of July week, will you also celebrate your citizenship in Heaven?

July 1, 2018

"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 conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Living in humble grateful awareness of God's mercy is the preferred way for God's people to live. 

Imagine how much better our world would be if all of God's people lived in view of His mercy! Can you even fathom that?

But there is one more important truth to remember about the mercies of God. They have an expiration date.

His mercies are freely given and fresh every day. But they are not to be refused or abused forever. No where is that more dramatically portrayed than in the Genesis account of Noah's ark:

"In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind,everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in. Genesis 7:11-16

For over a century Noah preached about the mercy of God and warned them of impending judgment. Noah urged them to turn from their sinful ways and seek God's mercy. But despite his pleadings his neighbors mocked him and ignored him until at last God shut the door of the ark. Once the door was closed the offer of mercy expired. Noah's family was shut in and the world was shut out. Judgment had fallen their fate was sealed.

As you live in view of God's mercy be aware that it has an expiration date. Live with urgency and warn others that today is the day of salvation.

June 30, 2018

"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 conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Paul would have you re-frame and old question. Rather than asking, "What would Jesus do?" Ask, "What has Jesus already done for me?" Or, to be even more specific, "In view of all the mercy Jesus has bestowed on me, what should I do toward others?"

This could be a game-changer! And in fact, that is precisely what it is intended to be. When you look at the remainder of Chapter 12 you get the rest of the story. 

God wants you to live in humble recognition of His mercies so you will be able to extend that mercy to others. With that in mind, mediate on the last half of this chapter:

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21

That One Act Of Mercy

"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 conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Looking back over the trajectory of my life I can recall several significant times I was the recipient of mercy. I will share a couple of those here and more on Sunday.

Several weeks after graduating from college I had an interview with the District Superintendent of my the Indiana North District. That was my home district. I was hoping he might recommend me to a church in that district.

I was nervous and uncertain of what I should expect. Never would I have expected what I received. To be kind to this man who has gone on to his reward, he was dismissive of me and rude to me. I was stunned by how I was treated. It was disillusioning. I was crushed.

A couple of days later I received a call from the late and great Forrest Gearhart. Rev. Gearhart was the District Superintendent from Northern Illinois and he asked if he could talk to me about a church opening in Princeton, IL. I was thrilled by his interest and I went for the interview. I was also nervous after the treatment I received from my own DS several days previously.

Fortunately for this 22 year-old I was warmly received and treated with respect. He actually wanted me as a pastor in his District and thought I would be a good fit for the Princeton Church. I agreed to candidate at the church in a few weeks.

All I wanted was a chance and Forrest graciously provided that for me. In view of that mercy I was determined and motivated to offer my best efforts to making sure I was worthy of the trust placed in me. You could say I offered myself fully and completely to the work of the ministry.

It was a good fit and over the next 10 years God blessed with a satisfying and fruitful ministry. 

That one act of mercy - giving a green young kid a chance - paid big dividends. It may have saved my ministry. I remain deeply grateful to God and to godly people who showed me mercy at a time I desperately needed it.

And most of all, I give God glory for His great mercy! 

June 28, 2018

"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 conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

As one who greatly benefits from the mercies of God, how am I to respond to such mercy?

The "therefore" implies a response on your part. It serves the ball into your court and you must make a play.

How is it you are to respond?

"I urge you" - This is a word applied to a general preparing his troops for battle. Nowadays, it would be a pregame pep talk from the head coach. But this word has and urgency about it and an authority to it.

In "view of God's mercy" you are urged to respond appropriately to God's mercy.

"offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" - The word "offer" or "present" means willingly or gladly giving yourself to God. In the Old Testament when a bull or a ram was offered to the priest as a sacrifice it was given reluctantly out of obligation. It was given in an attempt to obtain mercy. But you and I have already received mercy! The Greek word used for "present" is later used for "presenting" ourselves before the judgment seat. So, we are to offer ourselves willingly and gladly because of God's great mercy!

When a sacrifice was made in the Old Testament its throat was cut and it bled out on the altar. Then it was burned on that altar. It's life ended. 

But a living sacrifice willingly comes to the altar and presents his body in worship and service to the Lord. This symbolic act of sacrifice is our "true and proper act of worship".

The word used here is "logikos". In view of God's great mercy offering ourselves to God is just a logical thing to do!

When God offers you mercy, take the offer by offering yourself to Him!

How You View God's Mercy

"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 conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

How you view God's mercy is a major factor in what he is allowed to do in your life.

Is that not the gist of what Paul is saying in this text?

If you view mercy as something you deserve, you will probably not be able to receive it. If you think you deserve it you don't understand what mercy really is nor do you understand you spiritual need.

If you view mercy as something you have to earn you will not be able to receive it. Mercy must be given and received within the context of a relationship. Relationships are built they aren't earned.

If you view mercy as something you desperately need then you will be likely to ask God for mercy. When you cry out to God for mercy you will move Him to have mercy on you.

When you view mercy as something God provided for you in the past through the atoning death of Jesus and by His resurrection you are on the right track! You will view His mercy as something you need and want.

You will want to offer your body to God to be a living sacrifice and He will transform you by the renewing of your mind!

When you view mercy as something you have available to you in the present - right now as you read this article - you might want to pause and thank Him for His mercy!

When you view mercy as something you will always have in Christ then you can live in humble assurance and hope!

So, how you view God's mercy is a game-changer (or should I say a life-changer?) Allow me to bring more mercies into your view!

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  Romans 3:21-26