Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Consecrated Life
Romans 12:1-15


Jason A. Varghese
St. Peter's MTC, NJ
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

Today we live in a world driven by the pursuit of wealth. Social norms are defined daily through digital media, which leaves a lasting impression on the younger generations. This passage leads with an important message in verse 2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It is so easy for each of us to fall in to such norms that contradict our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The passage identifies two key themes that carry a valuable application to our churches today. The first theme is humble service in the body of Christ. The inherent struggle with being a Christian is having the ability to humble our hearts regardless of our surroundings such as work, school, or church. It is very difficult NOT to put ourselves first when this is the culture that we live in. One of the common themes that our churches face is personal ego becoming a roadblock for corporate worship. The succeeding verses provide a clear answer in how to address this issue. Verse 4 and 5 says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have all the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” The passage goes on to say that each individual has various gifts given to them by God and such individuals play a key role in our churches. We come together with our various gifts as one body, one church, to serve for the glory of His kingdom.

The second key theme is love in action. The latter half of the passage provides clear definitions and instructions for us as believers to follow. Examples of these include loving sincerely, being devoted and honoring one another, which provide a clear path of how we should treat one another. The following principles mentioned in verse 12, “be joyful in hope, patience in affliction, and faithful in prayer,” are ones that we can and should apply to our daily lives.


PRAYER


Dear Lord, we come before you with humble hearts. We pray that we acknowledge the gifts you have given each of us in your church and use them as one body for the glory of your Kingdom. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Living in humility is possible with Jesus Christ.

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