RTW November 27
Grafted In The Group
But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.
Romans 11:17
My Takeaways
Something Old
Romans 12 must be read in light of Romans 11.
Something New
Because of all that God did for me, the very least I can do in response is to offer myself as living sacrifice.
Something to Do
Live in gratitude of being grafted.
God has really be challenging me and working on my heart in the area of love. I am making Love my word and focus of 2019. It has been neat to see how God has been bringing up love in recent readings. Today in romans 12:9-10, 13:8-10 Paul spoke about love and how love fulfills all the other commandments. I want to genuinely love those around me and to what is good and honoring for them. This starts in my inner circle in my home and moves out to all I interact with. God, teach me to love others like you love them.
My Takeaways: The Transformation of the Gospel
Something Old: Today in my reading I moved from understanding the gospel of salvation into the transformation of the gospel.Today Paul’s letter reveals the effects these truths have on my life. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God… Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind that He will find acceptable … Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (12:1, 2).
Something New: I think Romans chapter 12:1-2 is very powerful. These verses are what I focused most on today. The good news revealed today is that I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind to test and approve what God’s will is. Through a loving and growing relationship with Jesus, I can overcome the temptations and darkness this world offers me. I must destroy the worldly influence that Satin attempts to bring into my life. I can’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. I must surrender my will and follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. He has a plan and purpose for my life, I must sacrifice myself for His good and suffer the loss of my sinful passions and selfish desires for the good of others. Self-sacrifice is a life long process. It does not happen overnight. This change is not immediate but continuous. Over time, I will begin to notice a change in how I think, how I live, and what is important to me. I can see this change in my life already. I am not the same person I was 20 years ago. I view things more differently. I can’t imagine what the next 20 years will look like. I love this process and just think – one day, I will be just like my heavenly Father. Now that’s an awesome fact!
Something To Do: Joyfully give my body as a living sacrifice to God today for His service. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Walk and live in the center of God’s will for my life – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Again I find Romans packed with insights and good advice!
Chapter 12 reminds me to give my body and mind to God so He can transform me. He has given us all gifts…God has given me the gift of teaching, I must teach well to honor God. I must love others and live in harmony with them. I must be patient in trouble and continue to pray. I must live honorably and in peace with everyone.
In Chapter 14 we are reminded to stop condemning each other and to live in a way that we will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know this was referring to things they chose to eat or not eat, or days they chose to keep Holy. It seems to me we could apply this same lesson to our current politics, social media behavior, the way we drive, worship, talk, etc. We are instructed to live a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Love others and don’t do or say anything that could cause another believer to stumble. Let’s take Paul’s words from AD 54 and apply them to 2018!! After all, Wendy reminds us that the Word is alive and active!! Encourage each other and aim for harmony!