Here is an article I recently published on www.ezinearticles.com. Let me know what you think - is it helpful? I would love feedback, positive or constructive criticism, as I am currently writing and publishing more articles on similar subjects.
In my own discovery of life promises found throughout the Bible, I’ve realized that many believers are not aware of the power that lies within having belief in those promises. Some have the book knowledge of what the Bible has to say about prosperity, healing, gifts, and marriages, but are unable to grasp the reality of applying these promises to their daily lives. It takes more than knowing a Biblical passage to see manifestation of God’s goodness at work in our lives. It takes a spiritual understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying through that passage, and obedience to His Word.
When a deep understanding takes place of what is being promised to us by our Father, and the necessary steps to receive these blessings are applied, change happens. Our families are healed, marriages unified, finances redeemed, and anything else you ask in His Name, fulfilled!
Here are five basic principles lined out in the twelfth chapter of Romans:
1. Present Your Body a Living Sacrifice. Romans 12:1 NASB “Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
This principle is very clear - we must die to our old nature, old desires, old plans. Our flesh never stops trying to maintain the same way of living as before we met our Savior, but that doesn’t mean we give in to it! The first and key step to His blessings is complete and utter surrender to our Father and His will. This step is really about making the decision to serve Him alone, and to no longer serve ourselves.
2. Commit to the Renewal of your Mind. Romans 12:2 NASB “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. “
Obviously, renewing our minds is a Biblical command designed to enable us to do God’s will. This can only be attained, however, by complete submission to our God, and deciding daily to follow His way.
So what is mind renewal? Mind renewal is not a new age statement of some out-of-reach achievement, but rather a gateway to receive God’s blessings on our lives. We have to discontinue our old way of thinking, and to do that, we must go after the things of God. For example, we have to start filtering the input that comes into our minds daily. We must replace the old thoughts and desires with Godly influence, such as the music we listen to, things we read, even the people we allow to influence us.
Have you ever heard the saying, “What goes in must come out!” It is the same for our minds and hearts. We have to learn to guard ourselves, using the Word of God as our strainer. If the influence in question does not “line up” with the Word, it shouldn’t be indulged in!
3. Be in Obedience to His Will. Romans 12:2b-3 NASB “…so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
God is faithful to not only show us how to seek His will for us, but He also equips us to know what it is! His will for us is found clearly in the Word, and keep in mind it will be “good and acceptable and perfect.” This Scripture also reminds us that “God has allotted to each [of us] a measure of faith.” In other words, He is not judging us by “how much” faith we have, but rather whether or not we have faith! He desires our whole hearts to be committed to His will for our lives. If we choose to be in obedience to that, we will see the promises of His Word come to life.
4. Join with the Body. Romans 12:4-5 NASB “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
We influence each other whether we want to admit it or not. As we touch those around us, we should be determined to be instruments of God’s love and ministry. We are the only Jesus some people will ever know. Just as our physical body parts all work together for the common goal of growing, sustaining, and sometimes healing the body, we must decide to act the same in the “Body” of Christ. I have heard some state that it is not necessary to be a part of a church to grow in the Lord. I beg to differ, first because it is taught strongly in Scripture, and second, because I have personally experienced both scenarios. I have lived without the body and I have thrived within the body. How do you not know that you are the skin for that body of believers? Picture a human body with the heart beating, and blood circulating, and blood and innards are squirting everywhere, because there is no skin to protect that body!
5. Everyone is Given Spiritual Gifts, Which are for the Benefit of Everyone. Romans 12:6-8 NASB “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
We’ve all been blessed with gifts, as different as they are, each one is equally important. As a culture, sometimes we tend to recognize those roles that are more celebrated and public as more important to the body than those who are behind the scenes, even though all roles are equally important to the Father. Each of us have many gifts, and what matters to the Father is that we glorify Him in the use of those gifts. When we do, we fulfill the needs of the body! If we are not in obedience in using our gifts within the body, we should examine our hearts, God has a great purpose for us in serving!
The instructions given to us in the Word are not mysterious or difficult to follow. They are clear, frank and created for our benefit. God has promised us health, fullness of joy, and rich lives filled with every good thing. To enable us to live this life, He asks for our surrender – to Him, His will, and His plan for our life. The question is, are you ready to take Him at His Word?
