July 29
2 Chron 24:1-25:28 | PS 22:19-31 | Prov 20:8-10 | Rom 12:1-21
What do I owe God? What are some of the things (I don't even realize all of the things) that He has lavished on me, that I have done nothing to deserve? He created me. It wasn't by chance or circumstance, it was by God's sovereign hand that He joined that sperm to that egg and created me. He gave me parents. I didn't pick them, they didn't choose me, God selected us for each other. He gave me family. Again, not by choice, but God arranged it all. He gave me shelter, provided me with nourishment, protected me from outside danger, healed me when I got sick. He enabled me to get educated and have a profession. If that wasn't enough, He provided me a beautiful woman to share my life on earth with, and enabled us to have children to love. If that wasn't enough, knowing how sinful that I am, He sent His only Son to earth, to carry my sins to the cross, so that eternity in heaven was made available for me, not based on anything that I did or will do, but based on His finished work. I could go on and on. This is only a short list, but through it I can't help but realize His rich mercy and grace that was poured out on me, when I really offer very little in return.
With this in mind, we read in Romans 12:1-2, "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." The price paid to redeem us at the cross is so much more than anything that we could ever give in return. But the least that we can do is present ourselves to Him, a living sacrifice, with all of our heart, soul, and strength. Not that we have done anything to deserve it, but He has not only saved us, but provided us with gifts in which to bless others. We read this in 12:3-6, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;". He has given us so much, and if we render ourselves vessels for His Holy Spirit, we are capable of blessing others. But do we? Do we move forward with that which God has given us, or withhold our gifts?
How about you spend a moment considering all that God has done in your life, from conception to the present. Rather than seeing all that has gone wrong, assume for a moment that you have earned none of it, and allow the reality of God's presence in who you are today come to the forefront. With that, are we consumed with pleasure or service? Do we fill our minds and time with consumption or with being a vessel to show God's love to others. Consider Romans 12:9,16,18, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good...Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion... If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." The transformation requires us to take our eyes off of ourselves and fix them on God and others. But, considering all that He has done, isn't this the least that we can do?
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: