Thinking
Thinking About the Body
If our mind is no
longer conformed to this world but transformed and renewed
Our bodies will be
active
Like working out at
the gym to get a healthy body is a sacrifice
So is presenting our
bodies unto the Lord a sacrifice
Both start with the
right mind set
What and where has
your body been lately?
Does it reveal a need
to think differently?
The renewed mind
keeps the body active
Thinking About the Body
Your body…
Yes, the fingers, hands and toes God
formed in the womb of your mother.
Your body that changes every year.
Get out the old photos.
Do you still wear the same styles?
Are you still going to the same places
where those pictures were taken?
Are you with the same person?
Was your body ever in better shape?
Did you hide from the camera?
Our bodies are controlled by what we think.
I have heard this comment made
when looking through photos…
“What were they
thinking”
or
“What was I thinking”
What we were doing or what we were
wearing reflected what we were thinking.
God cares about your body.
Romans 12 is all about your body…
“I urge you, brothers,
in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God” verse 1
Paul says…
“I urge you”
Strong words…
“to offer your bodies”
Relax!
God is not looking
for perfect
models and body builders.
God is looking for action…
“as living sacrifices”
What God wants from your body is for you to
do things your body is not so willing to do.
Verse 2 continues to lay the
foundation for the rest of the chapter.
“Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind.”
The world around us shapes
what we think and how we think.
Paul is urging us to transform our thinking…
To renew our minds, in order
to do what God wants us to do.
The sacrificed body is the body looking
to do what pleases the Lord.
We are asked to take a test…
Is what I do with my body
to God’s good or benefit?
Is what I do in my body well
pleasing to God and acceptable?
When I look at where I have been in
my body and what I have done with it…
Has it been God’s perfect,
complete will, choice, desire?
This body God gave me, the house I
live in, the vehicle I get around in…
Has God gotten perfect, complete
pleasure from what He gave us?
Our thoughts are important.
Thoughts and dreams that
stay in our heads are worthless.
Wishing we had done this
or that only leads to regret.
The thoughts and dreams in our head
that get worked out in our lives, do
they complete God’s purpose for us?
You and I may find reading the rest
of the verses in Romans 12 reveal
our minds need to be transformed.
If my body is more comfortable on
the couch than out using my giftings
for Christ, we may need a renewed mind.
If I am acting unkind to those who
offend me, I may need a renewed mind.
If our mind is no longer conformed to
this world but transformed and renewed…
Our bodies will be active.
Like working out at the gym to
get a healthy body is a sacrifice…
So is presenting our bodies
unto the Lord a sacrifice.
Both start with the right mind set.
What and where has your body been lately?
Does it reveal a need to think differently?
The renewed mind keeps the body active.
Scripture Reading
Romans 12 NIV
12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's
mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God —
this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer 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.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do
not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not
all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and
each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to
the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in
proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching,
let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing
to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him
govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is
good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what
is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends
on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I
will repay," says the Lord. 20 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."
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