One of my favorite chapters is Romans 12, in which the Apostle Paul explains to the members of the church in Rome how to live righteously.
The Christian Journey is tough! We must renounce sin, let go of our desires, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit who produces daily spiritual transformation when we are in agreement with God’s will.
Active Participation Is Required for Spiritual Growth and Transformation! Many believers think because we are covered by God’s Grace, all we need to do is to attend church once a week.
But passivity is dangerous to our spiritual journey. It is the intentional decision to follow Christ that keeps us in right standing with God. Using our faith to obey God results in experiential spiritual growth and character transformation.
Active participation reveals our love for God, and the desire to receive our inheritance of Eternal Life.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV),
To “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” does not mean we attempt to earn salvation or to be afraid. “Instead, it encourages believers to live out their salvation with reverence and awe, recognizing God’s work within them.”
Participating in our salvation: “It is a call to live in obedience, and possess gratitude for the gift of salvation with the understanding that God empowers us to do so.”
What does active participation look like in the converted believer’s life?
- Our love for God is revealed by surrender to God’s Sovereignty. We seek His will and plans daily through prayer, and studying the Bible.
- Worshiping God with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment.
- Maintaining a clean and pure heart invites the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
- Asking God for His Divine help when facing small obstacles creates a spirit of dependency, so when the raging storms of trials and tribulations come, our First Response is to pray in faith with the confidence that God will help us.
- Eliminating distractions, not listening to the many voices, and managing our time wisely are behaviors that indicate God is first in our lives.
- Before making decisions based on following our thoughts, we pray for Divine guidance. Whether God tells us to wait and be still, or to follow His directives, in faith, we obey.
- Finally, we renounce our heart’s desires in exchange for God’s plans. Our lifestyle including relationships represent that we serve a Righteous and Holy God, and we are striving to live a consecrated and obedient life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The bottom line is that God loves us. God, the Father has revealed His Perfect Love by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ to save our souls.
With unfailing love, Jesus, God, the Son fulfilled The Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross revealing that it is possible to live a faithful, holy, and obedient life.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship…”
“Do not conform 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” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
Lord God, we ask You for guidance, wisdom, and the strength and courage to obey Your Divine will. Teach us how to live righteously. We ask for the Holy Spirit to permeate our minds that we may hear Your voice and faithfully obey Your will. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
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