Talk is cheap. It is. Our politicians do it all the time, and we vote for them based on promises they make for us, and we even get abused by them saying “They said it would be different this time.” Most of our relationships are really no better. They’re power struggles, either to dominate others, or for us to fall in line with someone else’s wants, wishes or desires. This has been human nature since nearly the beginning: “You have it, I want it, so I will get it,” “You’re in my way, so I will bring you in to submission or put you down,” or “nothing will stop me from getting my way.” As a preacher, I confront this within myself and others, all the time, and the pushback I get is “It’s human nature.” Truth be told, I’m in agreement, it is human nature to act this way, but I also say to those who hold this attitude that we, as believer, should have none of it!
And you, Believer, have none of it! Do as Christ would do. Wash the feet of your betrayers and cowards. Eat with your enemies and try and convince them to come to the Father’s love. Sacrifice your time, treasures, talents, and very life for those who would put you on a cross and crucify you: then pray for their salvation as your life fades away. Human nature is about getting what you can while you can; have none of it! Following Christ is always about emulating His sacrifice, over and over again, even if it hurts, and even if it kills you. Why? Because Jesus is the example we’re to follow, not the nature He died to save us from. In all things, seek to be like Him. In every part of your life, public and private secret and exposed, seek Jesus, and His righteousness. The world may offer you wealth, and temporary satisfaction; have none of it! In Christ, there is true satisfaction and contentment that lasts forever.
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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