Romans 12 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” (John 10:17)

“What love, what wonderful love, was displayed by the Son of God!” The death we deserved, Jesus suffered, so we can receive a Forever Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Reflection: What is our daily response to Jesus’ Love gift of Salvation? Our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are grateful and willing to surrender and live as Jesus’ Faithful, Obedient Followers.

The story of Matthew, the tax collector reveals the power of faith and the commitment to say, Yes to following Jesus when nothing is promised to you.

“As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be My disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NLT).

Matthew was a wealthy, but corrupt tax collector, who decided to let go of his sinful habits to follow Jesus on an unknown spiritual journey.

Jesus knows every heart, and who is willing to follow Him from Earth to Heaven, despite the turbulent journey. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus leads and guides us on the Narrow Path. Yes, the believers who follow Him like Matthew will be transformed day by day into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). “Jesus died as our sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God, taking on the penalty for sin.”

Reflection: Although nothing of earthly value or elevated status was promised to Jesus’ twelve disciples, they used their faith to follow and obey Him. Judas followed, but always had a hidden agenda of greed in his heart.

In John 17, Jesus prayer reveals that eleven of His original twelve disciples will receive their reward of Eternal Life when He comes again.

Every Christian knows and accepts that Jesus died to redeem them from their sins. But following Christ on earth is only the beginning of our spiritual journey. We must use our faith and time to prepare for eternity.

Jesus promised in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12 that if we follow Him by living a sacrificial life of self- denial, surrender, and faithful obedience, we will receive our reward of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21).

Sadly, like Judas, the majority of the Christian Community are living in opposition to Jesus’ command of self-denial. Their only reward will be what they have collected on this Earth.

But if we obey, our eyes will remain focused on Jesus: “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” (John 14:15, Amplified Bible).

Our Sacrificial Life: Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:1-2, and Ephesians 6.

A heart overflowing with real love for God and Jesus Christ is the catalyst that propels us to willingly live a sacrificial life of self-denial.

When we value our ultimate gift of Redemption, it is not a burden to let go of our heart’s desires and follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17).

Do not be deceived! All Satan can offer is distractions, busyness, and temporary treasures, pleasures, and relationships on a temporary Earth.

Jesus’ Steadfast Promise: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We must decide whether we are going to chase Satan’s temporary earthly trinkets and pleasures, or follow Jesus on the Narrow Path, which gives us the reward of our Forever Gift of Eternal Life.

God loves us and desires that we learn and obey His Truth. The Bible is God’s Spiritual Treasure Map that clearly tells us what is required to live righteously, guiding and keeping us on the Straight and Narrow.

The Scriptures are designed to bring us to Spiritual Senses. Without taking the time to pray and study the Bible everyday, we will embrace Satan’s deceptions and lies.

From Genesis to Revelation, not one Scripture substantiates Satan’s lie: Satan says, Go ahead, do as you please, you will go to Heaven.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: Both groups are Christian believers, yet the goats are living as they please. Study Matthew 25:31-46.

It’s time for us to dismiss the foolishness of this world and take the stand of faithfulness required to follow Jesus from Earth to heaven.

The True Follower’s Credo: “Salvation is a priceless gift. Jesus loves me, died for me, and because I love and honor Him, I can live the sacrificial life of self-denial that is required to follow Him with faithful obedience.”

The True Follower’s Commitment: “Every day I will pray for the wisdom and strength to live as an Overcomer. I will not exchange my reward of Eternal Life for Satan’s temporary wealth, success, and pleasure.”

When our hearts are converted, our thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyles reveal that we are following Jesus Christ.

To remain loyal to Christ requires courage, yet, we must always depend on His Power and Strength to live a life of “No Compromise!”

Yes, we were given the gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7], but Human Effort is never enough to keep us on the Straight and Narrow Path.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

From praying and asking for Jesus’ Divine Wisdom and Strength, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome all obstacles, including our desires, and Satan’s continuous temptations.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). When love is overflowing in our hearts for Christ, it is not a burden to surrender to Him.

Through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study, we stay anchored to Christ, the Rock, revealing that our love, faith, and loyalty is unrelenting.

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.'” (John 14:1-4).

Brothers and Sisters, it’s just a matter of time and Yeshua, our King will be riding a white horse, in the clouds with His legions of angels, and we will witness all of His Magnificent Glory! Yes and Amen!

The trumpet will sound and those who died following Him will be raised from their graves. And those who are alive will be lifted up in the air to meet our Savior and King! Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!

“For, ‘In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.'”(Hebrews 10:37, NIV).

Lord God, we thank You for the greatest gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly suffered the worst death to save our souls. We are grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice that gives us freedom from the chains of sin. Lord, we ask King David’s prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” We also ask for the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize Satan’s deceptions and temptations, and the Strength to persevere, and live with the joy and hope that comes from preparing for the Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Rich, Young Ruler “…came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?…'”

“All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?'”

“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Matthew 19: 16, 20-21, NIV).

“To join Jesus meant that this young man had to accept a life of self-denial. With deep interest Jesus watched him weigh the question. With keen insight the ruler understood what he’d been told, but it made him depressed. If he had sensed what he would gain in the gift Jesus offered, he would have become a disciple. Instead, he reflected on what he would lose.” (Commentary).

We have made it to the second month of 2026. Our goal is to have a closer relationship with Christ by any means necessary!

Are you a follower of Christ? Most Christian believers do not consider themselves to be “Followers of Christ.”

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Daily surrender and faithful obedience are the defining characteristics of a true follower of Christ. Deep within our hearts, we know whether or not, God is our priority.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).

Behaviors Revealing Earthly Pursuits

Misplaced Priorities: Focusing entirely on material success, greed, or selfish desires.

Neglecting the Eternal: Trading the eternal, priceless nature of the soul for temporary, passing worldly benefits.

Rejecting Spiritual Life: Failing to surrender to God’s will and instead chasing personal ambition, which results in a life lived without a right relationship with Christ.

If we are caught up in pursuing the distractions of earthly trinkets, pleasures, success, and relationships instead of following Jesus, then sadly, our desires will be our only reward.

To follow Jesus requires much more than attending church once a week. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans chapter 12 that we must live a sacrificial life of self-denial to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

“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).

The Characteristics of the Sacrificial Life: Faith, Surrender, Obedience, Courage, and Commitment Are Required to Be a True Follower of Christ

“Every person is as close to God as they want to be.” (A.W. Tozer).

From praying daily for God to reveal His will and studying the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, guidance, and teaches us how to live a holy and acceptable life, pleasing to God.

How close are we to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 gives us the answer: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

From reading this description, one may think that the apostle Paul is referring to unbelievers; but unbelievers do not have a form of godliness. He is describing believers who have failed to commit to living the sacrificial life of self-denial that is required to be followers of Jesus Christ.

When we appreciate God’s love and Jesus’ great sacrifice, we love God; and, it is not a burden or an inconvenience for us to live the sacrificial and obedient life required to be a true follower of Christ.

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, Amplified Bible).

Lord God, does our lifestyle reflect that we are committed followers of Jesus Christ? If not, we ask you to reveal the habits and people, we must give up to live a God First, Christ-centered, Bible-based life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tag: Romans 12

Jesus’ Love Gift

Yes, We Are Followers of Christ!